Burnett Sets British Record in 200 Free at Commonwealth Games Trials

SHEFFIELD, England, August 6. THE Commonwealth Games Trials for Great Britain haven’t lacked sizzle, thanks to the presence of Simon Burnett. An Olympic finalist in the event at last summer’s Games in Athens, Burnett set a British record in the 200-meter freestyle, clocking an impressive 1:46.59. That time easily advanced Burnett to the Commonwealth Games, slated for next year in Melbourne.

“I’m so pleased,” Burnett said. “I came here not knowing what to expect. I haven’t swum long course properly since Athens. I felt I had nothing to lose, so I might as well go for it. I didn’t swim this morning and had a bit of a lie in which I think gave me that extra bit of pace that I was lacking yesterday. The guys in the field were really pushing me and I knew it was going to be tough.”

Placing behind Burnett, Dave Carry set a Scottish record with an effort of 1:48.32 and Ross Davenport checked in with a third-place mark of 1:48.84. As for the 50-meter backstroke, Liam Tancock built on his success from last week’s World Championships, as he won the event in 25.17. In Montreal, Tancock secured bronze in the sprint dorsal.

In the women’s 50 freestyle, Lisa Chapman edged 15-year-old Francesca Halsall, 25.75-25.90, and the women’s 100 backstroke was won by Katy Sexton, who covered the distance in 1:01.46. Melanie Marshall finished behind Sexton, as she went 1:01.78. Although winning the 50 butterfly in 24.08, Mark Foster just missed qualifying.

The women’s 200 butterfly was taken by Jessica Dickons in 2:12.67 and Carry came back from his second-place showing in the 200 free to win the 400 individual medley in 4:19.15. Breaststroke triumphs were notched by Kris Gilchrist in the men’s 200 distance (2:14.51) and by Kate Haywood in the women’s 100 (1:08.91).

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