Courtesy USA Swimming

GWANGJU, South Korea  – July 5, 2015 – Lisa Bratton (Richland, Wash.) of Texas A&M struck gold in the women’s 200-meter backstroke to highlight Team USA’s performances on day two of the World University Games at the Nambu University International Aquatics Center.

After sitting sixth at the 50-meter mark, Bratton increased her pace over each of the next three 50s to take the 200m back victory in 2 minutes, 9.31 seconds – more than a second clear of the field. Simona Baumrtova of the Czech Republic was second in 2:10.53, with Yuka Kawayoke of Japan taking third in 2:11.60. Melanie Klaren (Laguna Niguel, Calif.) finished fourth in 2:12.01.

“I don’t think it gets any better. With a best-time to go with it I couldn’t be any happier,” said Bratton of her first career international medal

Jack Conger (Rockville, Md.) raced to bronze in the men’s 100m back for his second medal of the meet after winning gold in the 400m free relay Saturday. He touched in 54.09, just off the pace of gold medalist of Junya Hasegawa of Japan, who posted a time of 53.77, and silver medalist Christopher Ciccarese of Italy, who finished in 53.92. Jacob Pebley (Corvallis, Ore.) was fourth in 54.22.

Over the first two days of competition in Gwangju, Team USA tops the medal count in the pool with six total medals, four gold and two bronze.

In other finals Sunday, Janardan Burns (Aliso Viejo, Calif.) and Arthur Frayler (Ambler, Pa.) placed fourth and seventh in the men’s 800m free in 7:56.53 and 7:59.09, respectively. In the men’s 50m fly, Matthew Josa (Rock Hill, S.C.) was fifth in 23.81, and Andrew Seliskar (McLean, Va.) took eighth in 24.28. DJ MacDonald (Toledo, Ohio) finished fourth in the 100m breast in 1:00.51, while Christina Bechtel (Franklin, Tenn.) was eighth in the 50m fly in 27.00.

 A number of Team USA swimmers advanced to finals in their respective events with solid semifinal swims Sunday. Complete meet details, including results, can be found here.

Pool action continues through July 10 with prelim sessions at 8:30 a.m. locally (7:30 p.m. EDT the previous day), with finals set for 7 p.m. locally (6 a.m. EDT).

In the United States, ESPN3, ESPNU and the Longhorn Network will air coverage from July 3-9. A one-hour swimming and diving recap show will air on ESPNU on July 16. A complete webcast and broadcast schedule can be found here.

The World University Games feature 21 different sports and thousands of student-athletes from more than 170 countries. The event was created to celebrate university students and their commitment to education and sport.