PALMA DE MALLORCA, Spain – The U.S. Swim Team captured three gold and two bronze medals on the opening day of competition at the World University Games in Palma de Mallorca, Spain. Cara Lane (Charlotte, N.C.) won the first gold medal of the meet, claiming the 800m freestyle in 8:42.62. Teammate Julie Varozza (Los Gatos, Calif.) took the bronze in the same event with a time of 8:46.83.
Mark Warkentin (Santa Barbara, Calif.) added a second gold to the U.S. total, winning the 200m free in a personal best time of 1:51.30. It was the first time the U.S. won this event at WUGs since Matt Biondi in 1985. Warkentin, who will also swim the 400m, 800m and 1500m free, as well as the 800m free relay, at this meet, wasn’t scheduled to swim the 200m free until Trevor Runberg withdrew from the team just a week ago.
Rada Owen, Kimberly Black, Caroline Kilian and Katie Zimbone claimed the U.S.’ third gold of the night with a time of 8:13.41 in the 800m free relay. Corrie Murphy (Los Angeles, Calif.) completed the medal haul with a bronze in the 400m individual medley (4:49.99).