Indiana’s Leila Vaziri who has burst into world prominence in swimming this week tied her own world record in the 50 back today in winning the event at the World Championships in Australia.

Here’s IU’s news release about Vaziri’s lastest swim:

Indiana senior Leila Vaziri continued to shock the world at the FINA World Championships in Melbourne, Australia, on Thursday, March 29, matching the world record she set in the semifinals of the 50-meter backstroke with a gold-medal performance in the finals. The world championship is the first of Vaziri’s career.

Vaziri turned in a time of 28.16 in the finals session at Susie O’Neill Pool at Rod Laver Arena, matching the record time she set in winning the semifinals a day earlier. Belarus’ Aliaksandra Herasimenia finished second in the finals in 28.46, while Australia’s Tayliah Zimmer was third in 28.50.

Perhaps more impressive than Vaziri’s recent performances is the fact that she is
swimming at her first World Championships and is competing in the 50 back at a major meet for the first time. The Coral Springs, Fla., native entered the World Championships known as a 100-meter backstroke specialist, advancing to the semifinals of the 100 back and finishing 10th before etching her name in the record books in the 50 back.

Vaziri helped add to the United States’ medal haul, as Americans have accounted for 11 gold, eight silver and three bronze medals at the World Championships.

The 2007 NCAA bronze medalist in the 100-yard backstroke, Vaziri had already left an indelible mark in IU history prior to her World Championship heroics. Vaziri earned 15 All-America certificates during her Hoosier career, the most in school history.

Final: West 114, East 112

Gordon finishes with 13 points. He was very efficient in the second half, though, creating baskets with his ability to get to the net. A couple of times he missed tough layups but left easy put backs for teammates. Read more in the Herald-Times tomorrow.
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7:56, second half: West 101, East 94

They’re playing it out here. Lots of dunks and other foolery. Can’t really say there’s been a stand-out here, although Beasley’s athleticism certainly is impressive. You get the feeling that a few of the guys who are more noted for fitting into systems — Rose, Gordon, Love and even Mayo — aren’t really able to just let go in a game like this. They all seem a little tight.

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OK, I guess I didn’t see it coming that we’d turn this into a swimming blog but Leila Vaziri’s accomplishments over the past day are remarkable.

The latest news is that Vaziri has followed up her American record in the 50 backstroke last night by setting a world record of 28.16 in the event this morning in the semifinals of the World Championships in Melbourne, Australia.

For the complete story from swimmingworldmagazine.com, click here.

Vaziri, a Florida native who is swimming at her first world championships and competing in the 50 back for the first time at the international level, advanced to Thursday night’s finals session. Fans can follow Vaziri in the finals at www.melbourne2007.com.au.

Vaziri recently completed her collegiate career for the Hoosiers after earning 15 All-
America citations, the most for a female swimmer in school history. She finished third in the 100-yard backstroke at the 2007 NCAA Championships.

The Hoosier basketball season is over, but we’ll still be back Wednesday at our usual time to field your questions about the latest Indiana sports news — spring football, the future of D.J. White, the future of the Hoosier basketball program and whatever else you’d like to chat about.

Just click here to join the live discussion.

Late Tuesday night, after the deadline for Wednesday’s H-T, I received an e-mail from former IU swimming media relations czar Jason Marstellar reporting that Indiana’s Leila Vaziri had broken the American record in the 50 backstroke.

Vaziri, a senior who finished her collegiate career this month, broke the record Wednesday at the World Championships in Australia, clocking 28.25 in a preliminary heat to break the record of 28.30 that Natalie Coughlin had set one day earlier.

For more about Vaziri’s record-breaking swim, click here to read a story at swimmingworldmagazine.com, where Marstellar is now managing editor.

Indiana held its second spring practice today that was open to the media. The Hoosiers will have a closed practice Thursday, followed by a scrimmage Saturday that’s open to the media.

Here a few notes from today’s practice:

* Kellen Lewis looked sharp. Second-string QB Ben Chappell was also throwing the ball well, but wasn’t as accurate as Lewis. One of the highlights of an 11-on-11 drill was a Lewis bomb that he completed to tight end Nick Sexton for a touchdown. James Bailey provided another highlight with a spectacular leaping grab over the middle just a couple of plays after he had dropped a long potential TD pass from Lewis.

* There wasn’t any new news on Terry Hoeppner. Interim coach Bill Lynch said he talked with Hoeppner Monday, but he didn’t give any updates on Hoeppner’s health.

* Lynch said he thinks IU’s defense is faster this spring. Yes, we’ve heard that before, but it looks like there’s some truth to it. The real question, of course, is whether that speed will enable the smallish Hoosier defense to stop Big Ten offenses. Lynch also said the Hoosiers are deeper on the d-line this year with Big Ten-quality linemen.

* One defender who is huge is sophomore defensive tackle William Keglar, who worked out with the Hoosiers last summer, but wasn’t on the team in the fall. The 6-6 Keglar is listed at – get this – 390 pounds. The Pike High School graduate is currently hobbling with an apparent turf toe injury.

* Converted running back Justin Carrington is already seeing some reps on the No. 1 defense at linebacker.

* We learned at practice that IU head football trainer Dean Kleinschmidt is leaving to accept a position with the Detroit Lions.

Six of you wrote back with questions for Eric Gordon. I managed to get most of them answered during an hour-long interview at Freedom Hall in Louisville. Keep reading.

Skiptomylou asked: eric do you feel you are better than oj mayo or derrick rose and also what do you think you could improve on in your game?

Both Gordon and Derrick Rose deferred when asked this question, choosing instead to mutter something about how many great players were there. Not only are these two diplomatic, they’re simply not trash-talkers.

The official McDonald’s Media Guide makes a bold statement, though. The first line of Gordon’s bio reads: “Eric is generally regarded as the best point guard and overall player in this year’s class.” Even at an event that gathers the best of the best, Gordon is considered exceptional.

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