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Record-breaking results for Winning Students 100 scholars

April has proven to be another outstanding month for Winning Students 100 student athletes with a string of successes.

From the pool and fairways to the badminton court, there’s been everything from national championship medals to international titles, reflecting the breadth of talent supported by Scotland’s national sports scholarship programme.

In swimming – a Winning Students 100 priority sport – the podium places landed thick and fast at the recent Aquatics GB Championships 2026, with six gold, eight silver and nine bronze medals, alongside two British records and a major individual accolade.

Leading the way was Angharad Evans, who produced one of the stand-out performances of the championships. 

Evans claimed gold in both the 200m and 100m breaststroke, setting new British records in the 100m and 200m events. Her achievements were further recognised with the Wilkie Trophy for Individual Performance of the Week, awarded following her 100m breaststroke final.

There were multiple podium finishes across the squad. Faye Rogers secured four medals in para events, including gold in the MC 100m freestyle and three silver medals across freestyle, butterfly and individual medley.

Ciara Schlosshan delivered a strong set of butterfly swims, taking silver in the 100m and bronze in both the 200m and 50m events, while Anna Morgan showed impressive consistency across the breaststroke disciplines with a full set of medals — silver in the 50m and 100m, and bronze in the 200m.

In backstroke, Katie Shanahan claimed gold in the 200m and added a bronze in the 100m, with Holly McGill securing silver in the 200m event.

Elsewhere, Sam Downie took gold in the MC 400m freestyle and added bronze in the MC 100m backstroke, while Evan Jones secured silver in the 200m individual medley.

Additional podium finishes came from Evelyn Davis (silver, 100m freestyle), Archie Goodburn (bronze, 50m breaststroke), George Smith (bronze, 400m individual medley) and Lucy Grieve (bronze, 100m butterfly).

A total of 26 current and alumni Winning Students 100 swimmers competed across the six days of competition.

In parabadminton, Edinburgh Napier University’s Andrew Davies came away with both a men’s singles title, alongside a men’s doubles title with Owen Carmichael at the Czech Republic International 2026. Andrew also bagged a bronze in the mixed doubles with partner Amelie Mongenot.

University of Stirling golfer Alexander Farmer also won the Edward Trophy – a 54-hole stroke-play championship created by Glasgow Golf Club. An opening 65 set a new amateur course record at Gailes, which he followed with a 70 to finish two shots clear of the rest of the field at nine under par.

Squash pro Robyn McAlpine stepped up after a late injury to help Scotland finish fourth for the second year running at the European Team Championship. Alongside Winning Students 100 alumni Lisa Aitken, Robyn helped see the Scotland women's team achieve back-to-back fourth places for the first since 1999.

Elsewhere, cricketer Nayma Sheikh represented an ICC Europe U23 XI, competing against the MCC across two days at Lord's and Wormsley in what was a rare opportunity to take on this unique challenge. It comes after she is offered a Cricket Scotland contract for the 2026-27 cycle, as her performance potential for the coming season is recognised.

Cathy Gallagher, Chair, Winning Students 100 Advisory Board said: “The breadth of success achieved across multiple athletes and disciplines reflects the continued strength of the Winning Students 100 programme in enabling student‑athletes to perform at the highest level.

“From record‑breaking performances and international appearances to consistent podium finishes, these athletes have once again demonstrated their ability not only to compete, but to inspire and succeed when it matters most.”

Winning Students 100 is Scotland's national sports scholarship programme, supporting talented student-athletes to balance academic study with high-performance sport.

Funded by the Scottish Funding Council and sportscotland, the programme provides financial support and works in partnerships with colleges and universities to offer academic flexibility.