University of North Carolina Athletics
Sprague Wins Gold Medal At World University Games
July 8, 2009 | Swimming & Diving
July 8, 2009
BELGRADE, SERBIA - The University of North Carolina's Whitney Sprague claimed gold for the United States of America Wednesday in the 800-meter freestyle at the World University Games in Belgrade, Serbia. In the process, Sprague, a 2009 UNC alumna from Bronxville, N.Y., shattered the University's long course record in the event by almost seven seconds.
Sprague won the event with a time of 8:32.71. She led the race at every turn and built her advantage throughout each 100-meter segment of the race. Her time broke her own school long course record of 8:39.15 set at the 2008 U.S. Open
"I've been following Whitney's march at the World University Games through the qualifying phase and the finals phase and I am thrilled to hear she is the champion of the 800-meter freestyle at the WUG," said University of North Carolina head coach Rich DeSelm.
"Along with winning an NCAA title, which she almost did at least three times in her collegiate career, one of her goals was to represent her country on an international team. Not only did she achieve that goal but she also won gold for the USA," added DeSelm.
"Everyone in the Carolina swimming family is proud of her accomplishment and wish her the best in her other events."
Later in the WUG Sprague will compete in the 400-meter freestyle and the 1500-meter freestyle.
In Wednesday's race, Japan's Yumi Kida claimed second-place honors in 8:34.98, while Italy's Roberta Panara placed third in 8:40.00.
In the preliminaries of the event, Sprague had qualified as the No. 2 seed with a time of 8:40.35.
