Loughborough swimmers responded well to the intense competition during the opening session of the Barcelona Mare Nostrum to secure final placings.

Sophie Casson, fresh from her Great Britain Open Water debut, opened the Loughborough account with a fine victory in the first heat of the women's 800m freestyle in 8:45.2 whilst British Record Holder Francesca Halsall put in a blistering 24.99 in the 50m freestyle to move through to the Grand Final. World Holder, Joanne Jackson, stamped her authority in her heat of the 200m freestyle to swim inside the existing Meet record; she will be joined in the final by Caitlin McClatchey and Francesca Hallsall. Lizzie Simmonds also looked impressive as she easily qualified for a slot in the 100m backstroke final.

Olympic medallist, David Davies, and teammate Daniel Fogg, both qualified for the final of the 400m freestyle with former World Record Holder Liam Tancock sprinted to a second spot qualification for the 50m backstroke final. Joe Roebuck & Scott Hathaway remained unphased by the pre meet start sheet to lift themselves up the ranking and qualify for the 200m butterfly & 200m backstroke finals respectively...just goes to show the start sheet isnt he result sheet!

Melanie Nocher and Sophie Casson will add to the Loughborough presence when they both appear in the "B" Final of the 200m freestyle.