University of North Carolina Athletics
Hellen Moffitt after she claimed the gold medal Thursday at WUG.
Moffitt Claims Gold Medal At World University Games
August 24, 2017 | Swimming & Diving
Rallies in final 10 meters of race to claim win.
TAOYUAN CITY, CHINESE TAIPEI - University of North Carolina swimmer Hellen Moffitt made Tar Heel aquatics history Thursday when she captured the gold medal in the 100-meter butterfly at the biannual World University Games swimming competition being held in Chinese Taipei this year. She is the second Tar Heel to medal in this year's World University Games, joining teammate Caroline Baldwin who won bronze earlier this week in the 400-meter freestyle relay.
Competition is being held at the National Taiwan Sport University Swimming Pool.
Moffitt had finished second in the preliminaries and second in the semifinals of the 100-meter butterfly on Wednesday. While her time in Thursday's final was not as fast as her semifinal clocking it made little difference as she became the first Tar Heel swimmer since Stephanie Peacock won a gold medal in the 1500-meter freestyle at the 2013 World University Games in Kazan, Russia.
"We are so proud of Hellen," said UNC head coach Rich DeSelm. "She has, for a long time, had a passion to represent the USA in international competition and certainly did in fine fashion today.
"This puts a great finish on a terrific year as Hellen placed second at the NCAA Championships in the 100-yard butterfly, and, now, swimming to gold at the World University Games. For the past year, coach Sean Quinn has helped to guide Hellen's career and, along with the rest of our staff and team, we all know the dedication Hellen has put into being her best."
Moffitt trailed for 90 of the 100 meters Thursday before surging over the last 10 meters of the course to claim gold. Her winning time was 58.75 and the top three finishers were separated by only .15 of a second. Elena di Liddo of Italy, who had the fastest time in the semifinals, led for most of the race but settled for a silver medal at 58.81. Rachael Kelly of Great Britain won the bronze in 58.90 seconds.
Competition is being held at the National Taiwan Sport University Swimming Pool.
Moffitt had finished second in the preliminaries and second in the semifinals of the 100-meter butterfly on Wednesday. While her time in Thursday's final was not as fast as her semifinal clocking it made little difference as she became the first Tar Heel swimmer since Stephanie Peacock won a gold medal in the 1500-meter freestyle at the 2013 World University Games in Kazan, Russia.
"We are so proud of Hellen," said UNC head coach Rich DeSelm. "She has, for a long time, had a passion to represent the USA in international competition and certainly did in fine fashion today.
"This puts a great finish on a terrific year as Hellen placed second at the NCAA Championships in the 100-yard butterfly, and, now, swimming to gold at the World University Games. For the past year, coach Sean Quinn has helped to guide Hellen's career and, along with the rest of our staff and team, we all know the dedication Hellen has put into being her best."
Moffitt trailed for 90 of the 100 meters Thursday before surging over the last 10 meters of the course to claim gold. Her winning time was 58.75 and the top three finishers were separated by only .15 of a second. Elena di Liddo of Italy, who had the fastest time in the semifinals, led for most of the race but settled for a silver medal at 58.81. Rachael Kelly of Great Britain won the bronze in 58.90 seconds.
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