Oxford swimmers Murphy and Smart land breaststroke golds

David Murphy and Callum Smart won 100m Breaststroke golds to ensure a memorable opening night for City of Oxford at the 2016 British Summer Championships.

Murphy was one of just four British male medallists at last month’s European Junior Championships in Hungary. But while he won bronze against his European rivals, the 17-year old climbed two places up the podium in Sheffield.

The Oxford swimmer clocked 1:02.23 to take the touch from Cockermouth’s Edward Baxter (1:02.44) in the 17/18 Yrs final. His effort was the third fastest time of his career, behind his semi final and final times from Hungary.

Smart ‘s performance in the 16 Yrs age group suggests he’s progressing on a similar rate to his teammate.

The 15-year old ducked under 65 seconds for the first time in the heats, clocking 1:04.91 to book lane four for the final. And Smart raised his game again in the evening session, winning gold in 1:04.86.

Another Oxford swimmer, Connor Bryan, won bronze behind Smart on 1:05.13 while York City’s Harry Devlin split the two with a PB 1:05.09.

Taverner returns to top of podium in 15 Yrs age group

Mount Kelly’s Ollie Taverner repeated his result from 12 months ago to win 100m Breaststroke gold in the 15 Yrs age group.

The 15-year old would have won silver behind Smart in the 16 Yrs final with his PB effort of 1:05.04.

Taverner’s previous lifetime best was his 14 Yrs British Age Group record 1:05.67 from the 2016 British Championships in April.

His time in Sheffield moves him up to seventh in the all-time 15 Yrs British rankings while Smart goes joint fifth in the same age group.

Bath University’s Charlie Attwood holds the 15 yrs British Age Group record on 1:03.16 from three years ago.

And Attwood was back in action in Sheffield tonight, winning the senior 100m Breaststroke final. The 18-year old beat 61 seconds for just the second time in his career to take gold in 1:00.82.

  • Click here to view results from the 2016 British Summer Championships in Sheffield.
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