Sweet sixteen for Stirling swimmers at British Champs

The University of Stirling’s high performance swimmers underlined their world-class credentials this past week after winning sixteen medals at the British Swimming Championships in Glasgow.

The Championships, which also double-up as trials for this summer’s World Championships, saw a strong squad of over 20 Stirling athletes take on Britain’s best, including Olympic Champion Adam Peaty and Olympic medallist Siobhan-Marie O'Connor, at the Tollcross International Swimming Centre.

Duncan Scott put in another series of majestic performance across the week, winning three golds and two silvers as well as breaking the British record in the 100m freestyle.

Speaking of another successful meet, Scott said: “It’s been a good strong week. I was disappointed with my first event, the 200 fly. It was the second fastest time I’ve ever been but I feel there’s a lot more to give there and I’m not sure when I’ll next do that event.

“But in total it’s been a really solid meet for me. I’ve made big PBs across events, in the 100 fly, 100 free and I was close there in the 200 free. I think I’ve done enough to make the team!”

There was also gold for Commonwealth champion, Aimee Willmott in the women’s 400m individual medley who also went under the World Championships consideration time.

Commenting on the race, two-time Olympian Willmott said: “It wasn’t as quick as I was hoping for, as this time last year at Commies I was 4.34.9 and I knew if I could do that I would automatically secure my place, but it’s a different environment and that was a huge event. So to sneak under the consideration time I am pretty happy, but it was so painful!”

There were encouraging signs for former Commonwealth champion Ross Murdoch, who brought home a bronze and two silvers in the 50m, 100, and 200m breaststroke, which included a thrilling sub-2.08 duel with British teammate James Wilby in the latter race. Murdoch’s fellow Stirling athlete, Craig Benson, took bronze in the 50m and 200m events.

Further medals also came for Danielle Huskisson, Scott McLay and Craig McNally who secured their own silver medals, with McLay also equalling the Scottish record in the 50m fly event.

Kathleen Dawson’s comeback from injury continued apace as she claimed bronze in the 100m backstroke whilst teammate, Cassie Wild, pipped Dawson to the podium in the 50m backstroke after finishing third.

The athletes now turn their attention to this summer’s major competitions, including the World Championships in Gwangju, South Korea, and World University Championships in Napoli, Italy, with British Swimming due to announce its squad for Gwangju this week.