Thomas Dean shatters personal best at National Winter Championships

Thomas Dean shattered his own personal best to top the qualifying ranks in the Men’s 200m Freestyle at the Swim England National Winter Championships.

The 18-year-old Bath University swimmer finished in 1:44.16 to knock 1.63 seconds off the time of 1:45.79 he set at the BUCS Short Course Swimming Championships last month.

It put him 1.47 seconds ahead of Bangor’s Jack McMillan, who was the second fastest qualifier in 1:45.63, and 1.62 clear of Bath University’s James Guy, who recorded a time of 1:45.78.

City of Sheffield’s Jay Lelliott (1:45.89) and Bangor’s Jordan Sloan (1:45.99) made up the top five fastest to reach the A Final.

Also qualifying were High Performance Centre Ontario’s Yuri Kisil (1:46.51), Bath University’s Cameron Kurle, (1:46.76), teamipswich’s Regan Lloyd (1:46.83), Bath University’s Calum Jarvis (1:46.92) and Stockport Metro’s Kyle Chisholm (1:47.40).

Hibbott sets sights on Freestyle treble

Holly Hibbott has her sights set on a hat-trick of National Winter Championships gold medals after coming out on top in the 200m Freestyle heats.

Stockport Metro’s Hibbott, who won the 800m Freestyle gold on day one and the 400m Freestyle title on day two, was 0.36 seconds clear of her nearest challenge as she finished in 1:57.28.

Marie Wattel, Loughborough University, took the second quickest spot in 1:57.64, with High Performance Centre Ontario’s Kayla Sanchez only 0.06 seconds further back in 1:57.70.

Bath University’s Georgia Coates (1:58.58) and Plymouth Leander’s Laura Stephens (1:59.21) made up the top five fastest qualifiers.

Also reaching the A Final were Camden Swiss’ Ally Larson (1:59.66), Newcastle’s Emily Large (2:00.22), City of Sheffield’s Kate Clifton (2:00.27), Nova Centurion’s Polly Holden (2:00.39) and City of Leeds’ Leah Crisp (2:00.51).

Best times tumble in Men’s 100m Backstroke

The fastest six in the Men’s 100m Backstroke all set personal bests as they booked their places in the A Final.

Loughborough University’s Luke Greenbank was first home as he lowered his previous best of 51.97 by 0.62 seconds to finish in 51.35.

Stockport Metro’s Thomas Howdle shaved almost a second off his best of 52.74, clocking 51.72 to finish second fastest.

And Millfield’s Brodie Williams knocked 0.09 off his time of 52.36 as he recorded 52.27 to be third quickest qualifier.

City of Sheffield’s Elliot Clogg (52.50) was fourth fastest, followed by Newcastle’s Nicholas Pyle (52.68) and City of Sheffield’s Jay Lelliott (52.73).

Also qualifying were Loughborough University’s James McFadzen (54.55) and Jack Shillinglaw (54.58), City of Birmingham’s Jacob Davies (54.88) and City of Sheffield’s Charlie Brown (55.10).

Fullalove cruises into final

In the Women’s 100m Backstroke, Jessica Fullalove comfortably clocked the fastest qualifying time of 58.17.

The 22-year-old Bath University swimmer was 1.28 seconds ahead of City of Coventry’s Lauren Cox (59.45) and 1.52 clear of City of Sheffield’s Lily Boseley (59.69).

Chloe Golding, of City of Manchester Aquatics, was the only other swimmer to break the minute barrier, finishing fourth fastest in 59.80.

Loughborough University’s Charlotte Evans (1:00.18), Nova Centurion’s Courteney Price (1:00.63), Mount Kelly’s Athena Clayson (1:00.67), High Performance Centre Ontario’s Hanna Henderson (1:00.70), Loughborough University’s Emily Crane (1:00.80) and Birmingham University’s Jessica Shaw (1:00.82) all booked their places in the A Final.