Lauren Alice Quigley
Born February 28, 1995 Lauren Quigley is a backstroke specialist and World Championship finalist representing Great Britain. Born in Stockport, Quigley trains with Stockport Metro and won her first British senior medal at just 16 years old. Quigley comes from a long line of competitive swimmers, including her mother, Yvonne, who was a world class swimmer and her aunt, Gaynor, who was a member of Great Britain’s Olympic Team in 1984.
Early career
At just 16 years old Quigley competed at the 2011 British Gas Swimming Championships, where she won her first British senior medal, a bronze in the 50-meter backstroke. In addition to her breakout swim, she competed at her first major international competition at the European Junior Championships in Belgrade where she picked up a silver medal.
2013 World Championships
In 2013 Quigley won gold in the 100-meter back at the British National Gas Championships to nail a spot on the World Championships roster. Although she was seen as more of a rising star than a threat, Quigley reached the championship final of the 50-meter back and advanced to the semi-finals of the 100-meter back.
2014 championships
In 2014 Quigley took gold in both the 50 and 200-meter backstroke events at the British Gas Championships, and advanced to the Commonwealth Games. Expected to finish within the top six, Quigley finished 2nd in the 50-meter back to take silver at her first Commonwealth Games. She also won a second silver as a member of the 4×100-meter medley relay.
2015 World Championships
Quigley was selected for the 2015 World Championships in Kazan, where she was competing within a very tight heat of competitors in the 50-meter back. She advanced from the semi-finals, but added just a hundredth of a second to hold her 7th place finish. Quigley also swam the 100-meter back, an event she wasn’t as well known for, but she advanced to the championship final by sliding by semi-finals in 8th place. Swimming the final in 59.78, one of the few times she swam under 1:00, Quigley moved up, finishing in 7th place.
Quigley was also the leadoff leg on the 4×100-meter medley relay, where she led off in under 1:00; however, the group was disqualified due to an early jump.