March 29, 2008

Federal Way, Wash. - Junior Alex Righi placed second in the 100-yard freestyle Saturday at the NCAA Division I Championships at the University of Washington. In the third and final day of competition at the NCAA Championships, Righi struck silver for the second time this weekend with a lighting fast time of 42.13.

Seeded third in the competition, Righi set a new Yale record with a time of 41.94 in the preliminary race to qualify to compete in the final eight. Righi's 41.94 in the preliminary surpassed his old Yale record time of 42.53.

After laying claim to a silver in the 50-yard freestyle with a time of 18.52 Thursday, Righi continued his success in the competition with an 11th place finish in the 100-yard backstroke in a time of 47.22 Saturday.

Righi followed up his great first two days of competition with his second place finish in the 100-yard freestyle Saturday. The only swimmer to defeat Righi in the race was Brazilian star Cesar Cielo who set a new NCAA and U.S. Open record with his time of 40.92.

Righi said he was proud to represent Yale at the competition this weekend and pleased with the results he produced.

"It's really been an honor being on the medal stand wearing Yale colors, wearing the name, and representing the school," Righi said. "It's been a lot of fun competing against these guys. It's always fun seeing how fast I can go when I put my mind to it."

Righi's excellent performance during the weekend earned Yale a total of 40 points and a 20th place finish at the NCAA Championships.

Report Filed by Steven Horn '10, Yale Sports Publicity