British Long Course Nationals: Elizabeth Simmonds Scorches 200 Back

SHEFFIELD, England, June 16. DAY three of the British Long Course Nationals is in the books, and Elizabeth Simmonds scorched the women's 200 back for the top swim of the evening.

Simmonds rocketed to second in the world rankings in the women's 200 back with a time of 2:07.49. That performance pushed her ahead of Shiho Sakai's previously second-ranked time of 2:07.74, and behind only Belinda Hocking (2:06.88) this year. Simmonds was also vying for the British record of 2:06.66 set by Gemma Spofforth back in 2009. Rachel Lefley placed second in 2:11.99, while Karley Mann took third in 2:12.50. Georgia Davies split a 59.60 en route to an eighth-place finish. That swim put her fifth in the world in the 100 back this year, pushing the sub-1:00 club to eight.

Rebecca Adlington, who stands first in the world this year in the women's 800 free with an 8:20.23 from March, cruised to victory in the event this evening in 8:24.77. Eleanor Faulkner touched second in 8:34.15, while Hannah Miley snared third overall in 8:35.30.

Daniel Sliwinski moved to 11th in the world rankings in the men's 50 breast with a time of 27.76. He edged Aleksander Hetland's 27.77, and stands just shy of Alexander Triznov's 27.74. Matt Shead placed second tonight in 28.12, while Christopher Steeples earned third in 28.72.

Simon Burnett hit the wall in 22.24 to win the men's 50 free. That swim tied with Cullen Jones for 15th in the world rankings in the splash-and-dash. Matthew Tutty finished second overall tonight in 22.73, while Richard Schafers grabbed third in 22.86.

Lewis Smith claimed the men's 400 IM crown in 4:16.26 to move to 18th in the world rankings, while Thomas Haffield posted a second-place 4:16.53 for 22nd in the rankings. Matthew Allison wound up third in 4:22.07.

Amy Smith topped the women's 50 free in 25.46, while Georgina Heyn and Emma Wilkins tied for second with matching 25.83s. Stacey Tadd captured the women's 100 breast title in 1:09.14. Kathryn Johnstone finished second in 1:11.04, while Heyn finished third in 1:11.12 for her second podium of the night.

Chris Walker-Hebborn posted a 54.47 to win the men's 100 back. Marco Loughran posted a second-place 54.84, while Ryan Bennett pocketed third in 55.44.

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