Nov. 8, 2005

IRVING, Texas (SMU) - Five-time NCAA Champion Flavia Rigamonti continues to dominate in distance free events during the early portion of the 2005-06 season for the SMU. After posting a 9:48.80 in the 1000-yard freestyle event, the fastest time in C-USA this season, Rigamonti earned her first Conference USA Swimmer of the Week accolade and helped the Mustangs defeat No. 9 Texas on Friday.

Rigamonti is a perfect 2-0 in both the 500- and 1000-yard freestyle on the season and has helped SMU attain a No. 8 ranking in the latest Division I poll. Against Texas last Friday, the senior from Switzerland won the 1000-yard freestyle event in a time of 9:48.80, the fastest time in C-USA this season. She followed that performance with a first place time of 4:49.66 in the 500-yard free, besting her previous season-high set against No. 1 Florida on Oct. 20. Rigamonti is striving to win her fourth NCAA crown in the 1650 free and third in the 500 free.

SMU now has wins over No. 1 Florida, No. 7 UCLA and No. 9 Texas on the season. Against the Longhorns, the Mustangs took an early lead by winning six of the first seven events and won nine of 16 events overall to take the dual meet.

The SMU women's swimming and diving team returns to the pool Nov. 18-20, when they travel to College Station, Texas, to participate in the Texas A&M Invitational.