Taylor makes a big splash at the Nationals
NEWCASTLE University student Rachel Taylor cruised to a bronze medal in the 200m breaststroke at the 2019 BUCS Nationals in Sheffield - while the campus’ swim team reached eight finals overall.
The Sport and Exercise Science undergraduate claimed the thirdplace finish with a time of 2:34:10.
She was one of eight swimmers to reach the finals, setting four club records in the process.
She said: “I was really thrilled to achieve a bronze medal.
“The competition was part of my preparation for the British Championships in April, where I will be competing in the 50m, 100m and 200m breaststroke events.
“I train with Newcastle Swim Team, coached by Ryan Livingstone, which has helped me greatly in my success.
“Additionally, my swim team works with Newcastle University for strength and conditioning support, coached by Ross Drummond, which is hugely beneficial as the university provides the opportunity to train with great facilities.
“I am studying first year Sport and Exercise Science and appreciate the assistance provided by the university in balancing my studies with competition events.”
In addition to the bronze in the 200m breaststroke, the 19-year-old qualified for the finals of the 50m and 100m breaststroke events, finishing sixth and ninth respectively.
The university swim team put in an excellent performance at the Championships, finishing joint 16th overall.
Newcastle Swim Team captain Beth Meer added: “The weekend was a huge success and lots of fun.”
The BUCS Nationals success follows on from the launch of a formal partnership between Newcastle University and the Newcastle Swim Team in 2017 to help develop top swimming talent in the country.
The programme supports a number of promising young swimmers, including Emily Large who was named as the Emerging Athlete if the Year at the British Swimming Awards.
Large, a year 12 student at King’s Priory School in Tynemouth, has chosen to train at Newcastle University.
Meanwhile, Newcastle student Shu Lee scooped a bronze medal in the BUCS Nationals’ badminton competition.
Lee, from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, registered a 10-3 winning games record, playing six singles matches against the top university badminton players in the UK.
She said: “BUCS Nationals is one of the biggest competitions I have ever contested in the UK so far.
“It was definitely a special and memorable experience for me. “
Lee won her two qualification round matches without losing a single set.
Despite facing fifth seed Xiao Xuan Teh in the first match, the Team Newcastle player advanced thanks to a 2-1 victory.
Shu maintained the momentum by cruising into the semi-finals after two straight-set successes but was then defeated by second seed Lyddia Cheah (16-21, 12-21).