Joe Litchfield completes IM double on day five

December 17, 2017

World University Games bronze medallist Joe Litchfield won men’s 200m Individual Medley gold on day five of the Swim England National Winter Championships 2017.

The City of Sheffield swimmer was almost a second faster than closest rival, European Junior champion Thomas Dean. Litchfield made it to the wall in a time of 2:00.58, taking his second gold medal of the meet.

“It wasn’t my PB but I already had the time for the Commonwealth’s from the summer so hopefully that will be enough to get me there,” said Litchfield, who won the 400m IM crown on day two in Sheffield.

“My aim was to make sure I won it so I stayed the second fastest person. I’m happy with that gold and the victory and hopefully I’ve done enough to get on the team.”

Dean of Maidenhead took silver with a time of 2:01.39. Bronze went to Fraser Minnican of Loughborough Uni for his 2:02.99 effort.

Kevin Wallbank claimed gold in an all Loughborough podium in the B final. He touched in 2:04.68 to beat team mates Nathan Wells and Craig Munden to the top spot.

Lauren Quigley wins 50m Backstroke gold

Lauren Quigley clocked 28.86 to win her first gold medal of the meet in the Women’s 50m Backstroke.

Although she had Woking’s Anna Maine and Newcastle’s Phoebe Lenderyou hot on her heels throughout, she had the pace and power to stay ahead.

Quigley commented: “It was good. I was quite a bit off my PB but I had a bit of fun, enjoyed it and gave it my all.”

Maine and Lenderyou were neck and neck as they approached the final 15m. It looked as though it could go either way.

Seventeen-year-old Maine just edged ahead to claim silver in 29.17 while Lenderyou took bronze in 29.24.

Plymouth Leander’s Honey Osrin put in an impressive performance in the B final to win gold. She was the youngest competitor in the field at 14, but managed to hold her own to claim top spot on the podium in a PB 29.75.