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Duncan Scott spearheaded what will be a fascinating 200 free in 1:46.41 with the first five qualifiers separated by 0.47 and all sub-1:47 at the British Swimming Selection Trials.
The 2019 world bronze medallist booked lane four ahead of Tom Dean, Matt Richards and James Guy with Max Litchfield the last man through in 1:47.93.
There is set to be a big-name casualty such is the depth of the event in Britain with the first five men home already inside the consideration time.
Put simply, athletes who finish in the top two and inside the cut will be nominated to Team GB for the Tokyo Olympics which are scheduled to get under way in July.
Women’s 100 Breaststroke
Molly Renshaw; Photo Courtesy: Rob Schumacher-USA TODAY Sports
Sarah Vasey has had to wait all week to swim and she left no-one in any doubt that she means business in Sunday’s final.
The Commonwealth 50br champion split 31.23/35.53 to book lane four in 1:07.03 with the consideration time of 1:06.79 well within her sights.
It has been a meet for Molly Renshaw that indicates the potential of fine things to come in Tokyo.
The Loughborough NTC swimmer set a British record of 2:20.89 over 200m and in the morning heats qualified second in 1:07.26.
Kara Hanlon was next through in 1:08.55 and Abbie Wood returned from victory in the 200IM to book her slot in the final in 1:08.76.
Men’s 200 Backstroke
Photo Courtesy: Becca Wyant
Luke Greenbank was pre-selected to Team GB by virtue of his bronze medal at the 2019 World Championships.
That may well have been a blessing for Greenbank – who is coached by Mel Marshall at the National Centre Loughborough – after he sprained his ankle a couple of weeks ago while out for a walk.
He was second in the 100 back to Joe Litchfield and although both men were outside the consideration time, they are already set for Tokyo.
Greenbank showed no signs of ill-effects from his ankle injury and eased through in 1:56.95 ahead of Elliott Clogg (1:58.42) and Charlie Brown (1:59.03).
Women’s 50 Free
Photo Courtesy: Mine Kasapoglu/ISL
Anna Hopkin – another of the Marshall stable – all but booked her place on the team with second in the 100 behind Freya Anderson.
The 2019 world finalist – who last year returned from the University of Arkansas where she had trained under Neil Harper – looked as though there was plenty more in reserve as her straight-arm stroke propelled her into the wall in 24.81.
Also through were Isabella Hindley (25.26) and Lucy Hope who went 25.46 the morning after setting a new Scottish 100 free record.
Evelyn Davis – the 16-year-old who was fourth in the 100 free – was next to book her spot in 25.48.
Men’s 200 Free
Such is the depth of men’s 200 freestyle swimming in Britain that it took 1:47 to reach the final with five men going 1:46.
Tom Dean: Photo Courtesy: Georgie Kerr
Tom Dean headed the first of three heats in 1:46.68 ahead of Joe Litchfield who showcased the fantastic underwaters employed by Dave Hemmings‘ swimmers in 1:47.14.
James Guy – the 2015 world champion – went in the second heat and reached halfway at 51.57 with Max Litchfield and Matt Richards for company.
Richards – who booked the second slot in the 100 free behind Duncan Scott – came back on the final 50, going to his legs to stop the clock in a new age group record of 1:46.73 with Guy going 1:46.77.
Scott was in the final heat and he led from start to finish – high in the water and driving forward – to touch in 1:46.41 to book lane four.
Jacob Whittle – the 16-year-old who went 48.76 to finish fourth in the 100 with a trip to Tokyo on the 4×1 beckoning – was ninth in 1:49.12.
Qualifiers
1:46.41, Duncan Scott
1:46.68, Tom Dean
1:46.73, Matt Richards
1:46.77, James Guy
1:46.89, Calum Jarvis
1:47.14, Joe Litchfield
1:47.19, Cameron Kurle
1:47.93, Max Litchfield
The 800 and 1500 races are all heat-declared winners with Jackson O’Rourke touching first in the morning in 16:09.37 with Dan Jervis looking to finally seal his spot this evening.
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At this meet Joe Litchfield won the 100 back. Also Anna Hopkin beat Freya Anderson in the 100 free. Does nobody look at the meet results and or do research anymore,?
Corrie, there was an error in the Litchfield section and it has been corrected. However, Hopkin did not beat Anderson in the 100 freestyle.