2007-08 (Junior): Finished first in the 100, (56.28), 200 yard (2:05.41) breast events, 100 LC meter breast (1:04.60), 200 LC meter IM (2:14.69), and was a member of team that won the 200 Yard Medley Relay against Arizona State (Sept. 28, 29)...won the 100 (55.65), 200 breast (2:01.55) events, and was second in the 400 IM (4:02.92) at the Big West Shootout...placed second in the 100 yard breast (55.19) and third in the 200 yard breast (2:00.17)...finished second in the 200 yard breast (2:00.00) and was a member of the teams that took second in the 200 and 400 yard medley relay events at the Conference USA Championships.
2006-2007 (Sophomore): Posted top team time in the 100 Breast (55.24), 200 Breast (2:01.17), and 200 IM (1:53.14)...his 200 Breast time was the conference's top mark...also recorded the second best team time in the 400 IM (4:07.20)...member of the C-USA conference champion 400 Medley Relay team...also a member of the 200 Medley Relay team.
2005-06 (Freshman): At the CUSA Championship, captured first in 200 Breast, while finishing third in 100 Breast and fifth in 200 IM...ranked fourth in 200 Breast, fifth in 100 Breast and ninth in 400 IM on UH all-time lists...earned first letter.
Prep: A 2004 graduate of Liceo Rambaldi-Valeriani High School in Imola, Italy....took part, as member of the Italian Junior National Team, at the 2004 European Junior Championships (long course meters) in Lisbon...earned the final in the 200 Breast with the time of 2:17:10...in 2005, was 4th at the Italian Spring Nationals in the 200 Breast, and captured both 100 and 200 Breast national titles for the 19-20 years age group.
Personal: Born in Imola, Italy...plans to major in marine biology...enjoys playing guitar, sailing, and motor biking...favorites are Italian cyclist Marco Pantani, actress Liv Tyler, and Guns N' Roses...has one younger brother, Alessandro...parents are Anna and Luigi Xella of Imola, Italy.
