Princeton University Athletics
Players Mentioned
Aemisegger Claims Pair Of Top-Five Finishes At World University Games
August 14, 2007 | General, Women's Swimming and Diving
Rising sophomore Alicia Aemisegger, who rewrote the Princeton record book in her first season and went on to claim Ivy League Championship Swimmer of the Meet honors, had an impressive performance at the 2007 World University Games in Bangkok, Thailand. Aemisegger qualified for the championship finals in both the 200 and 400 IM and placed fourth in both events.
Aemisegger debuted at the Games on Aug. 10 in the 200 IM, where she reached the finals and placed fourth in a time of 2:14.51. Aemisegger was the second American finisher, falling to gold medalist Kaitlin Sandeno, who set a Universiade record in 2:12.13.
Aemisegger's strongest event came on Aug. 12, when she competed in the 400 IM. After again reaching the finals, Aemisegger lined up against elite competition.
"I felt that under the conditions of the village, the food, and the climate I was really happy with how I did," Aemisegger said. "Also, I was right next to the former world record holder and gold medalist in the 2004 Olympics to the left side of me, and on the right was the silver medalist and former American record holder in the 2004 Olympics, so I felt a little pressure. I really tried to swim my own race, and knowing that I have different strong points in the race then they did, I felt not going out too fast and staying calm was key for me."
She nearly reached the medal stand, but China's Xin Zhang caught Aemisegger in the final 50 meters to claim bronze. Aemisegger's time of 4:42.82 was .33 of a second off Zhang's medal-winning time, but her pair of Top-5 finishes was still an impressive international performance from the top returning swimmer for a Princeton squad that has won two straight and seven of the last eight Ivy League championships.