Matt Smith, a 2003 Rose-Hulman graduate, placed 55th in the 200-breaststroke and 72nd in the 100-breaststroke at the FINA Worlds.

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ROME, ITALY -- Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology graduate Matt Smith placed 55th in the world in the 200-meter breaststroke and 72nd in the 100-meter breaststroke at the 13th FINA World Swimming Championships in Rome.

Smith, representing the nation of Estonia, recorded a time of 2:22.20 in the 200-meter breaststroke to finish 55th of 81 swimmers in the event.  His mark of 1:03.71 placed 72nd among 143 swimmers in the 100-meter breaststroke competition. 

Smith narrowly missed qualifying for the 2008 Olympic Games after recording a provisional qualification time of 1:03.29 in the 100-meter breaststroke at the European Swimming Championships.

Smith, who holds dual citizenship in the United States and Estonia, became Rose-Hulman's first swimming national champion in 2003 by claiming NCAA Division III title honors in the 100-yard breaststroke. The four-time All-American finished fifth in the 200-yard breaststroke in 2003, after claiming All-America honors in both events in 2002.

The mechanical engineering graduate also became the first Academic All-American in swimming program history in 2003.  He was named the 2002 Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference Tri-Swimmer of the Year, won eight individual conference titles and established eight school records at Rose-Hulman.