Edinburgh swimmers dig deep to defeat Aberdeen

Edinburgh University’s first-team swimmers got off to a brilliant start in the league on Wednesday 12 October, with a convincing overall victory of 135-113 away to Aberdeen.
The men’s was a close-run match, finishing in a 62-all draw. With only six swimmers the guys were stretched, and losing the first relay was a disappointing start for Edinburgh. Despite points being collected equally on both sides throughout the 100s, Aberdeen retained the edge.
However, notable swims from newcomers Jack Holroyd and Nicholas Quinn kept Edinburgh in the fight. Holroyd had the unenviable task of swimming back to back 100s in backstroke and breaststroke, but put in excellent swims placing first and fourth respectively. It was the latter race, the 100m breaststroke, which Quinn won with an exceptional time. The Edinburgh man has been selected for the European Short Course Championships 2011, to be held in Szczecin, Poland, this December. Both Holroyd and Quinn have proven themselves to be valuable additions to the men’s first team.
After clinching more points in the 50m events the boys hammered Aberdeen in the freestyle relays, scoring those all-important points for the draw.
The women’s decisive 73-51 victory was a reflection of the great swims from all eight Edinburgh first-team ladies. Relays were close and fast, with Edinburgh emerging ahead, but the 100m events were dominated by the girls, with captain Gayle Biggart putting in a particularly impressive performance. She swam an impressive 100m breaststroke, coming from behind to claim second place, followed by a 200m freestyle in which she gained a very respectable third.
Edinburgh also excelled in the 50m events, particularly breaststroke, with Andrew Strachan and Rachel Smithers coming in first and second. A close result but with a great outcome, the team are pleased with their first match performance and are in a strong position at the start of this SSS (Scottish Student Sport) season.