Seidt Breaks World University Games Record to Place First in Semifinals
NAPLES, Italy – University of Kentucky swimmer Asia Seidt broke the World University Games 200-meter backstroke record in 2:08.81 in the semifinals on Thursday, to earn the top seed in the championship event on July 5 in Naples, Italy. Meanwhile, the rising senior reset her previous school record and her lifetime best by a tenth of a second.
“It was a very good swim and she has to do one more tomorrow that is even faster,” head coach Lars Jorgensen said. “I know Asia will be up for the challenge.”
For the second time in her career, the USA Swimming National Team member is one of two swimmers representing the United States in the 200-meter backstroke at the World University Games. Thursday morning, Seidt competed alongside 28 swimmers from 21 countries in the qualifier and recorded a mark of 2:09.90 to finish in second place and become one of 16 swimmers to advance to the semifinals.
It was the semifinals where the Louisville native made history, finishing in first place on a record time of 2:08.81. The championship event will feature the top eight swimmers from the semifinals, hosted at the Piscina Scandone swimming center on July 5 at 1:15 p.m. ET. Seidt will swim in the fourth lane. Follow @UKSwimDive on Twitter for updates or changes to the event schedule.
Seidt’s time of 2:08.81 is the 14th-best time recorded in the world this year, and it is the fifth-fastest time recorded by an American this year. The previous World University Games 200-meter backstroke record holder Stephanie Proud of Great Britain earned a mark of 2:08.91 in 2009.
The World University Games’ streaming partners are the Olympic Channel, Rai Sport (in Italy) and FISU.TV.
For the latest on the Kentucky swimming and diving program, follow @UKSwimDive on Twitter and on Instagram, on Facebook and on the web at UKathletics.com.
