Hoosier wins gold, ties own world record

IU senior swimmer Leila Vaziri continued her rapid ascent to the top of the swimming world last night at the FINA World Championships in Melbourne, Australia, with a gold-medal performance in the 50-meter backstroke. \nVaziri shocked the swimming world again when she matched her own world-record time of 28.16 in the finals of the event at Susan O’Neill Pool at Rod Laver Arena. \nHer time of 28.16 finished her well ahead of Belarus’ Aliaksandra Herasimenia, who finished in second in 28.46, and Australia’s Tayliah Zimmer, who finished third with a 28.50. \nEntering her first World Championships as a 100-meter backstroke specialist, Vaziri competed in the 50-meter backstroke for the first time at a major international meet. \nShe advanced to the semifinals of the 100-back, placing 10th, before winning the 50-back. \nVaziri finished in first place in each of the three swims of the 50-back. She set an American record time of 28.25 in the preliminary heats and set the world record in the semifinals with a time of 28.16, matching the time in the finals. \nVaziri added another medal to the United States’ medal count at the championships. The American swimmers have won 11 gold medals, eight silver and three bronze. \nVaziri wrapped up a stellar career at IU with a bronze medal in the 100-yard backstroke at the NCAA championships. In her four years at IU, she earned a school record 15 All-America certificates.