Luke Greenbank sets personal best on way to British title

Luke Greenbank set a new personal best on his way to a British title as he finished inside the consideration time for a place in Great Britain’s team for the World Championships.

The Loughborough swimmer clocked 1:55.89 to win the men’s 200m Backstroke crown by three seconds on the final day of the British Swimming Championships at Glasgow’s Tollcross International Sports Centre.

University of Stirling’s Craig McNally was second in 1:58.89, with City of Sheffield’s Jay Lelliott and Millfield’s Brodie Williams both winning a bronze medal in 1:59.64.

Greenbank, who also won the 100m Backstroke gold, said: “That’s amazing.

“I have struggled the last couple of years and been way off the pace but to get down to that 1:55 means everything – I’m well chuffed.

“I have been coming back so well this season. It’s been a big kind of focus point in training and to get under 1:56, I’m over the moon with that.

“Hopefully I will get a bit faster consistently. The British record is in the back of my mind. It was not this time but it’s definitely the aim.”

Proud wins second title in two days

Ben Proud added the 50m Butterfly title to the 50m Freestyle crown he won on the penultimate night of the championships.

The Plymouth Leander swimmer clocked 23.25 to take the gold ahead of Swansea University’s Lewis Fraser, who broke the 24 second barrier for the first time in 23.98.

Poole’s Jacob Peters was third in 24.03.

Proud said: “I started last night and finished tonight – it’s been pretty quick and short and sweet.

“Both swims were consistently off my best but, for this time of year, it’s steady progression. Throughout the season, I’m aiming everything towards the summer and Tokyo next year.”

Scott celebrates hat-trick of golds

Duncan Scott won his third British title of the week as he equalled the fastest time in the world this year in the men’s 200m Freestyle.

University of Stirling’s Scott finished in 1:45.63 to edge out Bath’s James Guy by 0.71 seconds (1:46.34).

Bath’s Thomas Dean set a new personal best to take the bronze medal in 1:46.86.

Scott said: “It’s a solid way to cap off what’s been a pretty good week for me.

“I’m maybe a little bit disappointed with the time as Jimmy might be. But come the World Championships, Jimmy will be back to his best and be top of the world but it’s a solid time.”

Guy added: “Duncan has had an amazing week.

“The 200m Freestyle has come at the end of the week when we’re a bit tired but, hopefully, by the World Championships we will be fast again and do what we have to do there.”

Ulyett triumphant in thrilling race

Jocelyn Ulyett was victorious in the women’s 100m Breaststroke as she touched home first in a thrilling race.

The Loughborough swimmer clocked 1:07.35 to finish ahead of the silver medallist, Guildford’s Tatiana Belonogoff, who was only 0.26 seconds behind in 1:07.61.

Loughborough’s Sarah Vasey, who won the 50m title, was only 0.01 adrift of Belonogoff in a time of 1:07.62 to take the bronze medal.

Ulyett said: “I’m really pleased with that.

“I try and have that vision of my lane, my swim and if I see someone ahead of me or behind, I end up doing something different and not sticking to my plan.”

As for the rest of the season, Ulyett said: “I have got the World University qualification time in 200m but it depends what I’m selected for.”

Crisp doubles up with 1500m success

Leah Crisp added the women’s 1500m Freestyle title to the 800m crown she won earlier in the week.

But she was pushed all the way by Loughborough’s Emily Clarke in a close distance race.

City of Leeds’ Crisp clocked 16:44.29 to take the gold medal, 1.07 seconds ahead of Clarke who won the silver in a time of 16:45.36.

Newcastle’s Georgia Darwent was the bronze medallist in 16:47.85.

Crisp said: “I’m quite tired. But it was good to time that well and do the race plan to get to the end.”

Thomas pleased with solid swim

Swansea University’s Alys Thomas was triumphant in then women’s 100m Butterfly

She clocked 59.20 to take the British title by 0.10 seconds from silver medallist Charlotte Atkinson, of Loughborough NC, who clocked 58.30.

The bronze medal was won by Plymouth Leander’s Laura Stephens in 58.82.

Thomas said: “It’s been a pretty long week.

“I’m not used to being in day one and on the last day but I’m pleased with that. It’s a bit annoying not to duck under but yes, it’s a good solid swim.”