2003 BYU Hall of Fame

When Melanie Rile began her BYU swimming career, she was no newcomer to success. Rile, who won her first national title at the age of 13 in the AAU Junior Nationals, had already set a handful of national records, earned four consecutive high school All-American honors, and qualified for the 1980 U.S. Olympic Trials before ever suiting up for the Cougars.

As a freshman Rile rewrote the BYU record books with her outstanding speed and personal determination to win. She set school records in the 100, 200, and 500 freestyle; the 50 back-stroke; and the 200 freestyle relay. In that same year she captured five regional championships and became only the second swimmer in BYU history to receive AIAW All-America honors.

At the 1982 AIAW Championships, Rile earned First Team AIAW All-America honors after finishing fifth in the 500 free, fourth in the 200 IM, and sixth in the 100 IM. She went on to win the consolation races in the 100 and 200 freestyle events to singlehandedly give BYU a No. 18 national finish.

The following year swimming entered its first year as an NCAA-sponsored sport, and Rile became the first BYU athlete to qualify for the NCAA Championships. At the meet Rile again qualified for three events, this time competing in the 200 and 400 IM, along with the 500 free.

In her junior year Rile dominated the 1984 HCAC Championships, claiming four individual and two relay titles with her performances in the 100, 200 and 500 freestyle events; the 200 IM; and the 400 free and 400 medley relays. Her finishes earned her a place on the HCAC All-Conference Team.

Rile once again qualified for the NCAA Championships with her times in the 200 IM, the 500 free, and the 400 medley relay; she also qualified again for the U.S. Olympic Trials.

As a senior Rile continued to excel in the 400 IM and the 500 free, breaking her own BYU record in both events. She earned HCAC All-Conference honors and qualified for her fourth consecutive NCAA Championship.

Nearly 20 years later, Rile’s high altitude records for the 500 free and the 100 IM, and her pool record for the 500 free, remain unbroken as a testament to her extraordinary talent.

Rile married former BYU men’s team swimmer Ron Menezes and have two daughters—Natasha and Michelle. Rile qualified to compete in the Boston Marathon in 1994 and 2001.

• Set school records in the 100, 200 and 500 free; the 50 back-stroke; and the 200 freestyle relay
• Captured five regional championships
• Became only the second swimmer in BYU history to receive AIAW All-America honors
• Named All-Conference
• Won First Team All-American citations in the 100 IM (sixth) ), 200 IM (fourth) and the 500 free (fifth) at the AIAW nationals
• Won first place in the consolation finals of the 100 and 200 free at nationals
• Her efforst alone won an 18th-place nationals finish for the Cougars

• Named All-Conference, setting a total of 12 conference records between her freshman and sophomore year
• Became the first BYU athlete to qualify for the NCAA Championships
• Qualified for three events in the NCAA championships, competing in the 200 and 400 IM, along with the 500 free
• Won the 100 free (52.91), 200 free (1:51.41), 500 free (4:53.84), 200 IM (2:06.22), 400 IM (4:27.18) and the 400 free relay (3:35.14) at the HCAC championships

• Claimed four individual titles and two relay titles with performances in the 100, 200 and 500 freestyle events; the 200 IM; and the 400 free and 400 medley relays in the HCAC Championships
• Earned a spot on the HCAC All-Conference Team
• Qualified for the NCAA Championships with her times in the 200 IM, the 500 free, and the 400 medley relay
• Also qualified for the U.S. Olympic Trials

• Broke her own BYU record in the 400 IM and 500 free
• Earned HCAC All-Conference honors
• Qualified for her fourth consecutive NCAA Championship
• Became the BYU record holder in the 100 free, 200 free, 500 free, 50 back, 200 free relay, 400 free relay and 800 free relay throughout her career
• Was a senior national finalist and traveled several times with U.S. all-star teams