Bolton swimmer Teddy Pender stars in US Swimming Championships

Swimming for Bates College, Maine, Pender won the men’s 50 yards freestyle, and was second in the 100 yards and 200 yards freestyle and the 4x100 yards freestyle relay.

To complete a remarkable performance he set Bates College records and achieved NCAA B qualifying times in all four events.

He lowered his own Bates record in the 100 yards freestyle by 0.30 seconds in the preliminary heats, beating the old mark of 45.71 he set at the NCAA Championships last year in Texas.

His preliminary time of 45.41 seconds led the field and in the championship final, Pender went even lower to 45.35 seconds, although he was pipped into second place.

And he finished off the NESCAC Championship by helping Bates to a team record in the 400 yards freestyle relay.

He led off the Bates quartet in 45.23, lowering the college record he had set 30 minutes earlier in the 100 yards freestyle final.

Bates’ head coach, Peter Casares, paid tribute to the Bolton swimmer's outstanding performance, enthusing: “Teddy’s performances over the three-day championship weekend were that of the finest champion.

"His actions in the pool were not only those of someone who wanted to improve but of an athlete who wanted the whole programme to succeed.

"Teddy’s a true warrior, ready to take big risks and put it all on the line.

"And this time, those risks paid off – much to the benefit of Bates College.”

Pender, who left Bolton School in 2014 to study at Bates College, preferred to focus on the team success than than his own.

“We’re getting faster year-on-year,” he said.

“The team’s performance at the NESCAC Championships was outstanding.

We produced personal bests, made finals, broke college records and achieved National Championship qualifying times.

All of this is testament to the hard work and dedication of the team and our superb coaching staff.”