Quartet crowned as British champions as University of Bath-based swimmers impress in Scotland
There were six golds amongst a 14-medal haul for University of Bath-based swimmers at the 2018 British Swimming Championships, which were incorporated into the Edinburgh International Meet.
Despite being in heavy training for next month’s Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games, British Swimming National Centre Bath swimmer James Guy was able to add two more national titles to his haul.
He was a second clear of the field in the 200m butterfly, clocking 1:58.05, and then claimed his first British 50m butterfly title in 24.24. He also took silver in the 400m freestyle behind University of Bath alumnus and former MJ Church ambassador Jay Lelliott.
“It’s nice to come here and race as part of my preparations for the Commonwealth Games,” said Guy, who is coached at the University of Bath Sports Training Village by Jol Finck.
“It’s great to win but I’m just thinking of long-term goals – Commonwealth Games, the Europeans and, in the long term, the Olympics in Tokyo.”
Chloe Tutton (pictured), who last month became the latest Olympian to join the National Centre programme at Bath, was also crowned as double British Champion in the 100m and 200m breaststroke, touching the wall in 1:08.21 and 2:25.69 respectively.
Training partner Siobhan-Marie O’Connor, also coached by Dave McNulty, won silver behind Tutton in the 100m breaststroke on the same evening that she led from start to finish to claim another 200m individual medley gold in 2:12.26.
“I’m really pleased with the swims I have done here and delighted to have won with some amazing girls,” said O’Connor. “It’s been a really good week but now I’m looking forward to going and making my final preparations for the Commonwealth Games”
Olympic and World relay medallist Chris Walker-Hebborn won the British 100m backstroke title in 55.26 and also claimed 50m silver in 25.58.
University of Bath Sports & Exercise Science student Tom Derbyshire, who is supported by a British Swimming Sports Scholarship, was the second-fastest Brit in the 1500m freestyle in 15:19.21 and also claimed 800m freestyle silver behind Lelliott in 8:02.47.
Cameron Kurle won 200m freestyle silver in 1:49.97 and there were a brace of bronze medals for Jess Fullalove in the 100m and 200m backstroke. She clocked 1:01.05 and 2:12.18 respectively in the finals, which were both won by former National Centre Bath swimmer Lizzie Simmonds.
Some swimmers were unable to make the journey to Scotland due to the adverse weather conditions but Team Bath AS were well represented at the international meeting, with impressive junior swimmer Laura McNab reaching the senior 100m freestyle final and finishing sixth overall in 56.66.
The London 2012 Legacy Pool at the University of Bath Sports Training Village is open to the public on a daily basis – click here for more information about how to swim in the same pool as British Champions.
