Arlene Semeco Earns Second Silver Medal at Pan American Games
7/23/2007 12:00:00 AM | Swimming & Diving
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL ?? Arlene Semeco, a former University of Alabama All-American swimmer, followed up her silver medal performance in the 50-meter freestyle at the 2007 Pan American Games being held in Brazil this month, with another silver medal this week, this time in the 100m freestyle.
Semeco, a native of Venezuela, was seeded fifth coming out the semi-finals. In the finals, she posted a blistering 55.78 to grab the silver, finishing just behind Rebeca Gusmao of Brazil.
“Arlene has been competing internationally for several years, including the 2004 Olympics, but this is by far her best performance at this level and it really puts her in good shape for the push toward the 2008 Olympics,” Alabama head coach Eric McIlquham said.
In other Crimson Tide action, rising sophomore Agustina de Giovanni, swimming for her native Argentina, took sixth in the championship finals of the 200m breaststroke, moving up a spot from her semi-finals finish. She touched the wall at 2:36.02, shaving more than two seconds off her semi-final time. Earlier at these Games, she finished ninth in the 100m breaststroke, just out of the championship finals.
During her rookie season, de Giovanni earned a place in Alabama’s all-time top-10 in seven different events.
