Tech contingent competing at World University Games

Klaudia Nazieblo is one of four swimmers to go along with two track and field athletes and a women's basketball player taking part in the Games held in Taiwan

August 22, 2017

(Virginia Tech swimmer Klaudia Nazieblo is competing at the 2017 World University Games held in Taipei, Taiwan from Aug. 19-30 and will be submitting a blog with updates on how those with Virginia Tech ties are faring. This one is the first one.)

The Virginia Tech Hokies will be well represented this week at the World University Games, with seven athletes from seven different countries competing in three different sports – women's basketball, track and field, and swimming.

Competition started with swimming this past Sunday, as the Hokies had two representatives in afternoon finals. Klaudia Nazieblo finished 15^th on 200-yard backstroke and Reka Gyorgy posted a seventh-place finish in the 400 individual medley.

“It’s an honor to represent my country and Virginia Tech” Gyorgy said after her final on 400 IM. “I am happy so far and enjoying my time here in Taipei, but my goals are to swim season-best [times] in this meet and hope to improve on two other events I am going to swim [200IM and 200 free].”

Incoming freshman Gershwin Greene competed in the prelims of the 50 butterfly.

Another solid performance came from Vanessa Panousis, who scored two points to help Australia win 78-71 over Lithuania.

“My goals for the World University Games are to win the gold medal with my team and to play at the best of my ability.” Panousis said before her first game. “I am proud to not only represent Australia here in Taipei, but of course, my other family, Hokie Nation, because, if it wasn't for Virginia Tech, I would not be competing at these games. I am hoping to make all of my family, friends, country and Hokie Nation proud, as we start our campaign here in Taipei!”

The Games are hosted in Taipei, Taiwan and feature 14 sports. The seven student-athletes with Tech ties marks the largest group sent by Virginia Tech to a single edition of World University Games.

Here is a listing of athletes and their events:

PANOUSIS, Vanessa/Australia/Women's Basketball

Preliminary Round Pool D:

Mon., Aug. 21: 8 p.m. against Lithuania (win 78-71)

Tues., Aug. 22: 5:30 p.m. against Argentina (Game 15)

Wed., Aug. 23: 12:30 p.m. against Russian Federation (Game 23)

KRUZLIAK, Tomas/Slovakia/Men's Hammer

Wed., Aug. 23: Prelims In group A starts from 12:00 p.m. and group B 1 p.m.

SEDIVA, Irena/ Czech Republic/ Women's Javelin

Wed., Aug. 23: Prelims In group A starts from 6:10 p.m. and group B 7p.m.

NAZIEBLO, Klaudia/ Poland/ Women's Swimming

Prelims: Sun., Aug. 20: 200 backstroke

Tues., Aug. 22: 100 backstroke

Thurs., Aug. 24: 50 backstroke

Fri., Aug. 25: 200 butterfly

Sat., Aug. 26: 400 medley relay

GYORGY, Reka/ Hungary/ Women's Swimming

Prelims: Sun., Aug. 20: 400 individual medley (7^th)

Tues., Aug. 22: 200 individual medley

Thurs., Aug. 24: 200 freestyle

OWEN, Robert/ United States/ Men's Swimming

Prelims: Fri., Aug. 25: 200 backstroke

GREENE, Gershwin / Bahamas/ Men's Swimming

Prelims: Sun., Aug. 20: 50 butterfly

Wed., Aug. 23: 100 freestyle

Fri., Aug. 25: 50 freestyle

Full schedule and results of the competition can be followed at (https://www.2017.taipei/home) or watch online stream at (https://livestream.com/fisu).

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