Lucy Clarke clinches gold in last Summer Nationals

Lucy Clarke finished her eight-year career with national gold, winning the women’s 16yrs 800m Freestyle on the final day of the Swim England National Summer Meet 2017.

The Doncaster Dartes swimmer clocked a time of 9:17.86, smashing her PB time of 9:23.42 by nearly six seconds.

Clarke took gold eight seconds ahead of the silver medallist Zara Leleux of Wrekin Coll who touched the board on 9:25.18. Teagan-Mae Graham of Poole claimed the bronze medal in 9.25.71.

Clarke commented: “I’m not sure what gave me the edge in the race today. I just think it’s my coach, he’s helped me through so much the past eight years.

“From the start of the season, it was my goal to walk away having done my best in my final nationals.

“I’ve been competing for eight years now and I’ve decided that’s that. I may come back in the future if I want to. I would like to thank Andrew Wallace. He’s just moved to Loughborough which he deserves, because he’s always been there supporting me.”

To conclude this 2 weeks of racing, Lucy Clarke finishes on a high in her 800 coming 1st in the 16 year old?such an amazing swim well done❤️ pic.twitter.com/HrQrDgnjGZ

— Doncaster Dartes (@DartesDoncaster) August 6, 2017

Freeman of Colchester claims freestyle gold

Sophie Freeman broke her personal best to secure the gold medal in the 12/13 yrs age group.

Shaving five seconds off her old lifetime best, Freeman clocked 9:23.08 to finish four seconds ahead of the battle between second and third place. Chloe Baxter of City of Leicester sneaked the silver with 9:27.88 and Isabelle Goodwin of City of Leeds received bronze with a time of 9:27.96.

Southport’s Jessica Morgan provided the crowd with another exciting display in the women’s 800m freestyle. She smashed her PB set in May this year by seven seconds to win the 14yrs title.

Morgan touched in at 9:20.81 to finish five seconds clear of Sapphira Gabbani of City of Sheffield who touched in 9:25.76 for second place. City of Oxford swimmer Megan Smit stormed through to take bronze in 9:29.94 to complete the podium.

Bowden and Boardman win 800m Free crowns

Kingston Upon Hull swimmer Abbie Bowden finished on top in the 15yrs age group, clocking 9:17.97.

Chelmsford’s Abbie Low was denied by less than a second as she finished in 9:18.61. Meanwhile, South Croydon swimmer Amy Davies landed bronze in 9:21.54.

City of Salford’s Laura Boardman was the final 800m Free gold medallist of the day, winning the 17yrs/Over crown.

Boardman touched in 9:10.03 to take the title, more than two seconds clear of Pioneer 79’s Meghann Leaver on 9:12.85 for silver.

Romford Town’s Georgia Milton completed the senior podium with a time of 9:14.69 for bronze.

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