Shelley was born in Medford, Oregon and was introduced to swimming instruction after a near death experience at Cantrall-Buckley Park. Her parents urged her to join the swim team with neighborhood friends. These first experiences were with eh summer AAU program, the Medford Swim Team. Shelley showed great inclination for the Breaststroke event and developed rapidly to become one of the top three swimmers in the state of her specialty event.

Accomplishments:

• 1974- Undefeated in the 100 years breaststroke event, won district, and placed second in the OSAA state meet
• National Interscholastic Swimming Coaches of America All-American
• 1975- As a sophomore undefeated in district competition; State High School Champion, setting a state record in the process; awarded the NISCA All-American award; qualified for participation at the Women’s Senior Nationals
• 1976- Undefeated in dual and district competition; placed fourth in the nation against all other high school swimmers; NISCA All-American
• 1977- Undefeated in dual and district competition; NISCA All-American completing her four-year run as an All-American; awarded a scholarship at Indiana
• 1978- At Indiana University as a freshman undefeated in Big Ten competition and was Big Ten Champion in the 100-yard Breaststroke, the 200-yard Breaststroke, and swam the Breaststroke leg on the first place 400-yard Medley Relay. Unfortunately for Shelley, although she was an NCAA qualifier, Indiana decided not to fund a team to represent the University