July 31, 2009

ROME, Italy-- Stanford's Jason Dunford will compete for gold in the 100-meter butterfly at the World Aquatic Championships on Saturday after finishing fifth in the Semifinals with a personal-best 50.78.

The four-time All-American in the 100-yard butterfly in college, earned the final spot for the Semifinals after finishing 16^th in the preliminaries with a time of 51.76. Dunford then bettered that mark by a second in the Semifinals, as Serbia's Milorad Davic set a world record with a time of 50.01 and Michael Phelps was second. This is the second finals for Dunford, who was sixth earlier in week in the 50-meter butterfly. His previous best was 50.85.

Jason's brother, David, reached the Semifinals of the 50-meter freestyle, twice setting his personal-best. In the preliminaries, he was 14^th with a time of 21.96, before finishing 16^th in the Semifinals (21.89). His previous best was 22.21.

World Championship Schedule/Finals Appearances for the Cardinal:
J. Dunford, 50 butterfly Finals (6^th)
D. Dunford, 50 freestyle, Semifinals (16th)

J. Dunford, 100 butterfly, Finals Saturday
D. Dunford, 50 backstroke, Saturday
G. Cheah, 50 backstroke, Saturday