Five Gators competed in the first day of swimming action at the 2011 FINA World Championships in Shanghai Sunday, including an eighth place finish by Spain's Melania-Costa Schmid in the 400-meter freestyle finals. Schmid finished the 400 free in 4:07.02, for a new personal-best record in the event, swimming past her previous 4:07.09 set on April 3, 2011 at the Espana Open Abosluto Primavera in Madrid.
Former UF swimmer and Great Britain National Team member, Jemma Lowe, reached her first long course World Championship final after she touched the wall in 57.57 to finish fifth in the 100-meter Butterfly semi-finals. Lowe will swim for a medal in the event finals, during the second session on Monday, July 25th.
Two Florida underclassmen took to the water in Shanghai as well, including sophomore Hilda Luthersdottir, representing Iceland, who clocked a 2:18.20 in the 200-meter individual medley to finish 26th overall. Additionally, senior Rodion Davelaar swam the 100 breast in 1:04.50, placing 61st for Netherlands Antilles.
Gator great Ryan Lochte was a contributing factor in the U.S. Men's 400-meter freestyle relay that took home a bronze medal, swimming the second fastest split, a 48.28 100-meter free leg, of the prelims. Lochte's performance helped place his team in second place heading into the finals. The quartet of Michael Phelps, Garrett Weber-Gale, Jason Lezak and Nathan Adrian took to the pool for the finals, finishing in 3:11.96 and taking home a medal for the United States.
The 14th FINA World Championships continue Monday. Morning sessions are scheduled to take place from 9-11:30 a.m. local time in Shanghai (9-11:30 p.m. ET), while finals are slated for 6-7:50 p.m. (6-7:50 a.m. ET). Gator fans can get complete 2011 FINA World's coverage through OMEGA Timing by visiting their website here. For more information about the 14th annual FINA World Championships please click here.
Fans in the United States can follow all of the action from the World Championships on NBC and Universal Sports. NBC will broadcast the final two days of the meet on July 30th and 31st from 1-3 p.m. ET. Universal Sports will broadcast the remainder of the competition (July 25-27) from 8-10 p.m. ET. A webcast of the World Championships will also be available online at www.universalsports.com.
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FINALS RESULTS
Women's 400-meter freestyle
Melanie Costa Schmid, Spain, 8th, 4:07.02
SEMIFINALS RESULTS
Women's 100-meter butterfly
Jemma Lowe, Great Britain, 5th, 57.57
PRELIMS RESULTS
Women's 200-meter individual medley
Hilda Luthersdottir, Iceland, 26th, 2:18.20
Men's 100-meter breast
Rodion Davelaar, Netherlands Antilles, 61st, 1:04.50
