Jane Brown claims long-awaited gold in 200m IM

Jane Brown of Newcastle Swim Team got her hands on an elusive gold medal at the 2017 Swim England National Summer Meet, after claiming a silver and a bronze over the first two days in Sheffield.

Brown, who had already won silver in the 50m Free and bronze in the 100m Fly, claimed her gold in the 200m IM. She shaved just over a tenth of a second from her personal best time, to take the title in 2:20.55.

Brown commented: “It feels really good to be national champion. I was at British last week and didn’t perform very well.

“It’s a more relaxed atmosphere this week. It feels really great to finally get a gold and stand on top of the podium. I have been waiting for the PB for a while so it’s great to finally get it.”

Second place went to Bethany Walker of City of Lincoln Pentaqua with 2:21.87, and third place to Jessica Frankland of Beckenham SC in 2:23.28.

O’Rourke makes it a double on day three

Jackson O’Rourke showed his prowess in the breaststroke as he added the 200m IM to his 200m Breast gold from day two.

O’Rourke, who swims for Northampton, swam a good race to shave nearly two and a half seconds from his PB. He made it to the wall in a time of 2:14.16, two seconds ahead of City of Derby’s Luke Skelding.

O’Rourke said: “Being champion in the 200 Breast yesterday helped me today as it relieved the pressure a little bit and I was used to competing in the final. After a PB in the heats it was a really nice surprise to go faster again in the final, I didn’t expect it.

“Backstroke is my weaker stroke but I feel like I pulled it back on the breaststroke and I have the 50 Breaststroke later on this week which is my fun event so I’m looking forward to that.”

Skelding, who won gold in the 400m IM, was denied the double as he touched in 2:16.18 for silver. Luca Fankhauser of Guildford City was third with 2:16.47.

• Click here to see full results from the Swim England National Summer Meet 2017.

Other 200m IM gold medallists

• Jay Cushen (Winsford) men’s 13/14yrs – 2:16.98
• Lewis Smart (Mount Kelly) men’s 16yrs – 2:12.45
• Max Jameson (Thanet Swim) men’s 17yrs – 2:08.81
• Nathan Wells (Loughborough Uni) men’s 18yrs/Over – 2:05.57
• Olivia Herron (Stockport Metro) women’s 12/13yrs – 2:24.11
• Isabella Renwick (Millfield) women’s 14yrs – 2:26.13
• Ruby Palmer (City of Leeds) women’s 15yrs – 2:23.31
• Jade Kennerell (Nova Centurion) women’s 16yrs – 2:23.90