British University and College Championships: Rebecca Adlington, Fran Halsall, Elizabeth Simmons Blast Top Times at BUCS

SHEFFIELD, England, February 11. THE long course meter competition at the British University and College Championships has featured some red-hot racing thus far. With a setup that includes plenty of swift swims in the morning, as not everyone is allowed to advance to finals, being ready to go in the first session has proven to be a necessity.

Rebecca Adlington opened the meet off on night one last evening with a scorching time of 8:22.35 to win the women's 800 free, and blast Lotte Friis (8:27.93) from the top of the world rankings this year. Meanwhile, Martin Cremin won the men's 1500 free in 15:59.47.

The Loughborough foursome of Amy Smith (26.73), Fran Halsall (28.14), Emma Wilkins (28.96) and Caitlin McClatchey (28.91) obliterated the field in the women's 400 free relay with a stunning time of 3:38.49, easily the top time in the world this year and ranked 13th all time. It is the second-fastest time registered by a team not representing its country as Shanghai went 3:35.81 in October 2008 at the Chinese Games.

Fran Halsall returned on the second day with a blazing-fast 57.67 in the women's 100 fly. That swim trumped Ellen Gandy's 57.78 set earlier in the day at the NSW State Championships in Australia for the top swim in the world this year, and is just off Halsall's lifetime best of 57.40 that ranks 19th all time. Halsall also won the women's 50 free in 24.95 to take third in the rankings behind Therese Alshammar (24.86) and Jeanette Ottesen (24.91).

Loughborough responded with a swift time of 4:04.00 in the women's 400 medley relay, to stand atop those world rankings as well. Names of the legs were not immediately available.

Elizabeth Simmonds posted a 29.00 to lead the way in the women's 50 back. Simmons then doubled up with a 2:07.92 in the women's 200 back to move to the top of the world rankings.

Joanne Jackson topped the women's 200 free in 1:59.77. She picked up her second victory of the meet with a 4:08.48 in the women's 400 free to take 11th in the rankings.

Ieuan Lloyd clocked the quickest time in the men's 200 free with a 1:50.09. He followed a similar path as Jackson, winning the 400 free after a 200 free triumph with a 3:54.22 in the middle distance event.

Douglas Scott placed atop the men's 50 breast with a 28.84, then doubled with a 2:20.92 in the men's 200 breast. Laurent Carnol, however, won the championship finale with a 2:14.78.

Liam Tancock turned in a 25.51 for the best time in the men's 50 back, while Lowri Tynan and Corrie Scott posted matching 32.65s in the women's 50 breast. Scott won the finale with a 29.73.

Hannah Miley crushed the field in the women's 400 IM with a 4:41.82, and would win the championship finale in the 200 free with a 2:01.64.

Thomas Hatfield checked in with a 4:20.72 for the top time in the men's 400 IM, while Joe Roebuck took the top time in the men's 100 fly with a 53.46.

Ryan Bennett touched in 2:00.25 for first in the men's 200 back, while Grant Turner posted a 23.02 for the top effort in the men's 50 free. Stacey Tadd turned in a 2:28.64 to win the women's 200 breast.

Name*

Email*

Welcome to our community. We invite you to join our discussion. Our community guidelines are simple: be respectful and constructive, keep on topic, and support your fellow commenters. Commenting signifies that you agree to our Terms of Use