Molly Renshaw claims 200m Breaststroke gold on day three

December 15, 2017

Molly Renshaw of Loughborough National Centre was the standout English performer in the women’s 200m Breaststroke final.

While she touched 0.62 seconds behind Canada’s Kierra Smith, she was more than two seconds faster than the rest of the field.

Renshaw ultimately touched in 2:24.71 to claim the national crown, almost four seconds faster than her heat swim.

Renshaw commented: “That was pretty tough. I knew racing in December would always be hard but it was nice coming into the season knowing I’ve already qualified for the Commonwealth Games.

“Now it’s about practicing different races and different techniques.

“I had the opportunity to go to the European Short Course, but I wanted to come here because it was long course so I could get in more race practice.”

Second place went to Abbie Wood of Loughborough Uni. She chased Renshaw all the way, and took the silver medal for her 2:26.72 effort.

The final spot on the podium was taken by Stockport Metro’s Katie Matts. She finished on 2:27.88.

Grace Gilroy took the B final, beating Sheffield’s Amy Bell and City of Bristol’s Lily Booker. She touched in 2:30.97 for the gold medal.

Rachael Kelly takes 50m fly with sub-27 effort

Rachael Kelly of Loughborough Uni was one of two swimmers to go sub 27 seconds in the women’s 50m Butterfly final.

The 23-year-old was beaten to the wall by Canada’s Rebecca Smith, but took gold as the fastest English swimmer. She finished in 26.89.

Second place went to 16-year old Poole swimmer Jasmine McCrea, who took the 100m Butterfly B final on the opening night in Sheffield. She touched in a PB 27.19.

Bath Uni’s Anna Hopkin was a fingertip behind, taking bronze with a personal best 27.24.

City of Leeds swimmer Ciara Schlosshan took the B final after a very hard fought race. The 16-year-old just clinched gold, a tenth of a second ahead of the field, finishing in a PB 27.56.