July 27, 2009
ROME – Former Arizona swimmer Albert Subirats finished seventh in the 50m fly final during day two of the 13th World Championships in Rome, Italy to lead a contingent of Wildcats in the water on Tuesday.
Jean Basson finished 8th overall in the semifinals of the 200m freestyle and will advance on to tomorrow’s final heat where he’ll go up against Michael Phelps and Paul Biedermann.
In Beijing, Phelps claimed the Gold Medal in the 200m free while then up-and-comer Basson was fourth.
In preliminary action in the 200m free, Basson and Phelps battled down the stretch during heat 15 with Phelps pulling ahead and touching first followed by Basson. Nicolas Nilo just missed earning a trip to the semifinal round with an 18th place finish. Overall Phelps and Basson’s prelim times were good for second and fourth, respectively.
In the men’s 100m backstroke semifinal, Frank Busch trainee Matt Grevers swam a time of 52.82, good for fifth overall and a spot in the final heat. Surprisingly, world-record holder Aaron Perisol failed to earn entry into the finals, finishing ninth overall.
Grevers just did sneak into the 100m Backstroke semifinal with a 16th place finish in prelims after ripping his TYR swimsuit right before he jumped in the water.
"I didn't completely freak out but definitely I was conscious of it," Grevers said to the Associated Press, showing a two-inch rip by his lower back. "Luckily I made it in.”
Tomorrow Grevers and Basson will be aiming to medal in the 100m back and 200m free, respectively.
All semifinal and final events are available to watch free online at universalsports.com
Monday’s Final Event
Men’s 50m Butterfly
-Albert Subirats VEN 7th 23.07
Monday’s Semifinal Events
Men’s 200m Freestyle
-Jean Basson RSA 8th 1:45.82
Men’s 100m Backstroke
-Matt Grevers* USA 5th 52.82
Monday’s Preliminary Events
Men’s 200m Freestyle
-Jean Basson RSA 4th 1:45.88
-Nicolas Nilo BRA 18th 1:47.55
-Nimrod Shapira Bar-Or ISR 31st 1:48.63
Men’s 100m Backstroke
-Matt Grevers * USA 16th 54.04
-Jake Tapp CAN 31st 54.99
*Did not attend UA, but trains under Frank Busch and Staff
