British Gas Swimming Championships, Day Two: Elizabeth Simmonds Turns in Swift 100 Back

SHEFFIELD, England, March 30. THE second day of long course meter swimming at the British Gas Swimming Championships featured a strong women's 100 back semifinal round.

Elizabeth Simmonds improved upon her spot as the second fastest in the world this year in the women's 100 back with a top time of 59.84 during semifinal swimming. Previously, she'd turned in a 59.90 at the Duel in the Pool in February, behind only Emily Seebohm's 59.21 from earlier this month in Australia. Gemma Spofforth, who is a favorite in the event, clocked a 1:00.26 for second. University of Florida teammate Stephanie Proud qualified third in 1:01.41.

Amy Smith won the women's 50 fly to open the evening. She charted a time of 26.88, while Ellen Gandy finished second in 27.20. Louisa Pate completed the top three in 27.42, while Jemma Lowe wound up fourth in 27.45 – just a week removed from helping Florida win the NCAA women's team title.

Luke Wood was the benefactor of Liam Tancock's scratch in the 50 back. Wood won the event in 26.17. Tancock posted a 24.52 during qualifying, which is the top time in the world this year, but elected to scratch since it is not a selection event. Scott Hathaway (26.20) and David Gregory (26.70) placed second and third.

Achieng Ajulu-Bushell earned the women's 50 breast title in 31.18 after turning in a 31.04 during qualifying to become the second-fastest woman in the event in the world this year. Leisel Jones owns the honor of the top time with a 30.87 from earlier this month in Australia. Stephanie Slater (31.93) and Lowri Tynan (31.96) completed the top three in the finale this evening.

Robert Bale touched out Robert Renwick in the men's 200 free with a time of 1:47.82. Renwick finished a close second in 1:47.96, while Ross Davenport (1:48.06) and David Carry (1:48.17) earned third and fourth.

In other semifinal action, Antony James led the way in the men's 50 fly with a 24.41. Daniel Sliwinski topped the men's 100 breast in 1:01.45. Fran Halsall, who already has a 54.52 to her credit from the Duel in the Pool in February, posted the fastest time in semis with a 54.98.

In multi-disability events, Louisa Watkin was listed first in the women's 50 free with a 30.26. Daniel Pepper was listed first in the men's 100 breast with a 1:11.61. Elizabeth Johnson was listed first in the women's 100 breast with a 1:39.58, while James Anderson was the only competitor in the men's 50 back with a 1:10.35.

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