NAPOLI, Italy – After twice lowering the World University Games record, Alabama swimming and diving's Zane Waddell surged to a gold medal in the 50-meter backstroke Sunday in Napoli, Italy.

Waddell, swimming for South Africa, tied for top honors with the United States' Justin Ress, with both men clocking a 24.48 in finals. Waddell broke the WUG records in prelims with a time of 24.54. In the semifinals, Ress bettered the new mark, going 24.52 in the first heat of the semifinals. Moments after his prelims record fell, Waddell reclaimed the mark, going 24.46, which ranks him fourth in the world this year.

In the finals, Ress got off to a quick start, but Waddell surged into the lead down the stretch, with a lunge at the wall by Ress resulting in the tie.

Waddell has been on fire in the sprint backstroke this year, posting a scorching 50 backstroke leadoff to lead Alabama to 200 medley relay titles at both the Southeastern Conference and NCAA Championships in the spring.

The rising senior added his title to the gold that 2019 senior Robert Howard won on day one of the World University Games, when the Alexander City, Ala., native swam the third leg on Team USA's 400m freestyle relay.

The World University Games takes place every two years and brings student-athletes together from around the world to compete in multiple sports.

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