Loughborough University swimmers produced a host of fine performances at the Rotherham Open Meet.

The meet, held in Ponds Forge, Sheffield and ideally placed for their summer preparations, saw the team excel in a multitude of senior events.

Senior International, Amy Smith, led the charge with world class times of 25.84 & 55.80 in the 50m & 100m freestyle respectively; she went on to win the 200m freestyle, 50m backstroke, 50m/100m butterfly and to lift the Top Female Swimmer of the Meet Award. Erin Jeffery(below) produced a fine series of swims over the 2 day meet to take the 200m/400m individual medley and the 400m freestyle titles. whilst Irish Olympian, Melanie Nocher took the 100m backstroke with Rachel Lefley taking silver and Becky Jenkins bronze. World University Games hopeful, Rachel Lefley,(pictured left) demonstrated superb pacing and confidence when winning the 200m backstroke in an excellent time of 2:13.43. Katie Raybould, Emma White and Kate Hutchinson saw Lougbborough dominate the breaststroke podium with golden swims in the 50m, 100m & 200m events respectively. Jade Barclay and Kirsty Armstrong completed the Lougbborough domination in the senior category with gold & silver in the 200m butterfly.

Joe Roebuck responded well to a heavy programme of events by picking up 4 titles and outswimming the field in the 200m butterfly, 200m breaststroke, 200m freestyle and 200m individual medley. However it was teammate Scott Hathaway who pipped him for the Top Male Swimmer Award with a blistering 100m backstroke swim of 57.08; Hathaway also won the 50m/200m backstroke and 50m breaststroke. James Lovatt sprinted to victory in the 100m butterfly ahead of teammate Tom Laxton while Chris Watkinson lifted the 100m breaststroke title. Simon Churchman completed the gold rush with victory in the final event of the meet, the 400m freestyle.

These fine performances, combined with a number of silver & bronze medal winning swims, saw the Loughborough Team being awarded the Top team Trophy but more importantly the standard of their swims highlights how well their preparations are going for the coming major meets.

 For all of the results from the weekend click here