Loughborough University sweep relays on day two of Winter Championships

Loughborough University continued their perfect run in the relays at the Swim England National Winter Championships, winning the Women’s 200m Freestyle Team and the Men’s 400m Freestyle Team titles on day two.

The women’s team was first up, with Amy Godsave, Emily Crane, Emily Barclay and Amy Grant qualifying second-fastest for the final.

Mount Kelly headed in as favourites, having set the pace in the morning with a time of 1:42.56.

They had a strong start, with Macy Lawrence leading them out strongly.

But Loughborough’s Crane had the fastest split of the race, clocking 24.21s on the second leg to give her team a slender lead.

Barclay extended Loughborough’s advantage with another blistering leg, opening up a gap to Mount Kelly.

Grant produced a composed finish to lead Loughborough to gold in 1:39.52, as Elena Dewhurst brought home the silver for Mount Kelly.

Bromley claimed the bronze medal, with Evelyn Davis, Emma Van Selm, Imogen Meers and Tamryn Van Selm clocking 1:43.04.

Loughborough target clean sweep

The Men’s 400m Freestyle Team final was much-anticipated, after City of Manchester won the heats by more than three seconds.

But Loughborough Uni rose to the challenge in the evening, reversing that deficit to win gold in 3:13.61.

The team of Harry Constantine, Archie Goodburn, Alexander Bowen and Samuel Irvine went more than nine seconds quicker than their heat time, with City of Manchester securing silver in an improved time of 3:16.02.

Bowen and Irvine featured in the team that won gold in the 200m Medley Team on day one and they hope there is more silverware to come.

Irvine said: “We’re one step closer to winning all three [men’s relays]. It was a good performance all round tonight, so we’re really happy with that.

“After last night, our coaches were really happy with the skills because obviously it’s short course so the turns and the starts make a bit more of a difference than it would long course so that’s been the focus of our competition so far and they’ve been pleased with how our underwater work and stuff like that’s been getting on.

“We’re more confident than ever of getting the clean sweep.”

East Leeds rounded out the podium, finishing with their two quickest splits through Ryan Flanagan and Joseph Sadio to seal the bronze medal.