A Record-Breaking Week: University of Edinburgh Performance Swimmers Impress at British & Irish Championships
University of Edinburgh students celebrate a record-breaking performance at the 2023 British & Irish Swimming Open Championships
University of Edinburgh's performance swimmers have made waves across the UK and Ireland, impressing spectators with their incredible performances at Championship meets this month. Among the standout events were the British Championships in Sheffield, which doubled as a trial event for the upcoming World Championships in Japan this summer and the European under 23 Championships in Dublin.
Kara Hanlon stood out as a top performer throughout the event, winning the women's 50m Breaststroke and securing a Scottish record of 30.50 in the process. A record previously held by former University of Edinburgh swimmer Corrie Scott since 2014. Hanlon continued to impress in the 200m breaststroke, gaining a silver medal and new personal best, while narrowly missing the Scottish record. Rounding off her event success, Hanlon secured a gold medal in the 100m breaststroke, earning a spot on the British Team for the upcoming World Championships in Japan this summer.
Hanlon expressed her excitement for her success and that of her teammates, saying,
"Overall, I am very happy with how I performed individually last week at British Champs. Coming away with a new Scottish Record, two new personal bests, 2 gold medals, 1 silver medal and being selected for the World Championships team is more than I could have asked for! I am so proud of all my teammates who competed for University of Edinburgh at the meet, everyone stepped up and had amazing performances. I am truly honoured to be a part of this team and can't wait to fly the flag for UoE at the World Championships!"
Archie Goodburn also joined Hanlon with a podium-worthy performance, breaking the Scottish Record in the men's 50m breaststroke to claim gold with a time of 27.19. Goodburn also secured a bronze medal and lifetime best in the men's 100m breaststroke and another lifetime best in the 200m breaststroke finishing in fourth position. Tom Carswell, who had an impressive Commonwealth Games performance last year, competed in four events (50m fly, 100m fly, 50m freestyle, and 100m freestyle), smashing his lifetime bests in all four events, making A finals in each.
Teammates, Katie Goodburn, Gregor Swinney, Ciara Schlosshan, Anna Morgan, Scott Gibson, Ross Young, and David Cumberlidge also went on to compete in A finals, finishing with lifetime bests whilst Gregor Swinney beat his own Scottish record in the 50m fly with a time of 23.82.
The team's success extended to the Irish Championships in Dublin, where Uiseann Cooke and Olwyn Cooke both swam exceptionally well. Uiseann earned a silver and two bronzes, and Olwyn earned two bronze medals, her first at this level.
Head of Swimming Performance Coach Chris Jones reflected on the recent success and progressions within the team, saying,
“Coaches Mat Trodden and Ross Douglas have been at the forefront of the progressions. Big shout out to Tracy McAdam (physio) Matilda Mayne (psychology) David Hughes (S&C) Steve Bishop (S&C) Mike McKenna (SIS Physiology) and all the amazing support staff we have working with us. We wouldn’t be here without the continued support of the University of Edinburgh, and we are all very grateful for that support.”
The University of Edinburgh performance swimmers' incredible performances at these championships bode well for their future prospects, as they look to continue progressing in the swimming world.
Further Information
Image Credits: Ian MacNicol for Scottish Swimming