Athletes have returned as medal winners after record numbers from Loughborough College competed in the national finals of one of the country’s largest sporting events.
Close to 100 College students triumphed after months of fierce competition, with nine sports qualifying for the second consecutive year to join winners from across the UK at the 2019 Association of Colleges Sport National Championships.
Loughborough College sport development manager Rob Jarram paid tribute not only to the men’s volleyball team and table tennis player Shannon Graves, who both won silver medals, and to the entire group of athletes representing the College but also to the staff who supported them.
“Following the record breaking numbers we had qualify for the Championships this year I was really pleased to see our students competing with such integrity and the high standards we expect.
“The talent across more than 1700 athletes at the competition finals was definitely greater than ever this year, so for the College to come away with two silver medal performances is fantastic.
“As usual, our staff also need credit for their preparation and dedication in supporting our students as it was a huge team effort to get that many athletes competing at such a large event. It was a very successful weekend. “
Competing alongside the men’s volleyball team and Shannon Graves for Loughborough College at the AoC Sport national finals were women’s rugby, who after becoming national champions in 2018 narrowly missed a medal, placing fourth. Edward Battersby, Dempsey Mayne, Ned Smith, Ella Bills and Lucy Hull also narrowly missed a podium place, placing fourth in the tennis. Women’s football came fifth, men’s basketball sixth, and Chloe Dhillon, Abbi Archer and Grace Clarke seventh in women’s hockey.
Pictured: The men’s volleyball team was amongst the medal winners from Loughborough College at this year’s Association of Colleges Sport National Championships