A successful EISM for University Swimmers
This weekend saw the return of the Edinburgh International Swim Meet at the Royal Commonwealth Pool which this year incorporated the British Swimming Championships.
For many of the University of Edinburgh athletes taking part it was their last meet before heading out to Australia for the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games and presented them with the opportunity to fine tune their race skills against Olympic champions, Mireia Belmonte, Damian Wierling, Adam Peaty and Siobhan-Marie O’Connor. Despite the world-class field, there was a number of fantastic successes, enthusiastically celebrated by a sell out crowd, which during the Saturday finals included the new University Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Peter Mathieson.
Double Olympian Lizzie Simmonds once again showed her world-class ability by taking the Gold and the British Title in the 200m and 100m backstroke, a phenomenal 12th British title of her career.
David Cumberlidge claimed the 50m freestyle British Title along with 2nd place in the 50m freestyle skins. And his success didn’t stop there, with a Silver in the 100m freestyle event.
Kat Greenslade picked up her first senior British Title in the 200m freestyle as well as picking up silver in the 200m backstroke.
Tain Bruce crushed her Scottish National record in the 100m fly again for the 3rd time in a row to claim Bronze and Monique Olivier equaled the 200m freestyle Luxembourg National Record.
Katie Stark dominated the freestyle events by claiming Silver in the 50m freestyle and Bronze in the 100m freestlye. Corrie Scott also added to Edinburgh’s medal haul by claiming Bronze in the 50m breaststroke.
Lucy Hope came out on top being crowned 4th top Fina performance of the meet, she also claimed two British titles in the 50m backstroke and 50m freestlye as well as Silver in the 100m freestyle.
“I came into this event feeling really good after doing so well at BUCS a couple of weeks ago where our team won the female title. I’m looking to move my races forward and put them together technically in the lead up to the Commonwealth Games.”
Overall, Edinburgh University claimed 13 medals and 5 British titles, setting them up nicely ahead of the Commonwealth Games.