Alabama Swimming’s Robert Howard Opens World University Games By Winning Relay Gold with Team USA
7/4/2019 7:42:00 PM | Swimming & Diving
The Alexander City, Ala., native swam the third leg on the United States’ gold-medal 400-meter freestyle relay
NAPOLI, Italy – Alabama swimming's Robert Howard raced to gold on day one of the World University Games, being held in Napoli, Italy this week as part of the United States' 400-meter freestyle relay.
Howard, a native of Alexander City, Ala., swam the third leg on Team USA's opening relay, posting a 47.74 in finals as part of a 3:11.08 effort, just off the WUG record. The 2019 Southeastern Conference Swimmer of the Year and an NCAA Champion, Howard made his first swim for Team USA count.
Rising Crimson Tide junior Zane Waddell advanced to the finals of the 100-meter backstroke after posting a 54.72 in prelims followed by a career-best 54.01 in the semifinals. He also led off South Africa's 400m freestyle relay that finished 11th in prelims.
In her WUG debut, rising junior Sezin Eligul was 21st in the prelims of the 50-meter butterfly with a time of 27.52 for her native Turkey.
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