Bath University’s Siobhan-Marie O’Connor paced the first day of action at Manchester’s British Gas International Meet, taking the top seed in two events heading into finals Wednesday night.
The versatile O’Connor leads a 100 free field loaded with some notable names. O’Connor was the only woman under 55 in the preliminaries, putting up a 54.88 to lead the field. But the next four seeds behind her are all pretty well-established contenders: Jessica Lloyd (55.39), Lauren Quigley (55.50), Ruta Meilutyte (55.51) and Rebecca Guy (55.67)..
O’Connor is also the 200 IM’s top seed, beating out Scotland’s Hannah Miley 2:11.12 to 2:12.38.
On the men’s side, one of the better races is shaping up to be the 50 breaststroke. Adam Peaty, coming off of some huge performances on the Mare Nostrum tour, went 27.50 to take the top seed, but will have to contend with Longboro’s Andrew Weatheritt (27.84) for the win. Just a bit back is the University of Stirling’s Ross Murdoch, who went 28.19 but could be a legitimate factor in the final.
A few more races set up: Georgia Davies took top billing in the women’s 50 back, going 28.26. Lizzie Simmonds is second, but a ways back at 29.09. In the men’s 400 free, it’s Stephen Milne leading the field into finals. He went 3:51.71, but has Scotland’s Robbie Renwick and Denmark’s Anders Lie within striking distance behind him.
You can find full results here. Finals begin at 9 AM Wednesday, with the next prelims session to follow at night.
Some good swims to note –
O’Connor 54.4 (100Free) & 2.10.3 (IM) for a double. Qualified for two more finals, too – 100back (62.8) & 200free (1.58.9). Peaty 27.4 to win 50 Breast & 59.5 in the 100BR heats, could we see another British Record for him? Ben Proud 50free top seed (22.3).
Lauren Quigley looks in great shape, too. 56.3 PB over 100Free at British Nationals, she smashed that with a 55.4 here.. nearly a second faster than ever before. She then qualified as top seed from the 100bk heats in 60.3 (her pb is 60.0 from Nationals).
how the heck do you pronounce her first name? I have no idea…….
Billy – the Irish pronounce the name “She-von” traditionally.
Funny you should say that, I recall watching a video on another Swimming News ‘Site where the presenter pronounced her name ‘She-ob-han’… I was quite amused.
As Braden says, the Irish pronounce it She-von. In Britain, it’s is pronounced with more emphasis on the ‘Von’ and it sounds more vaun, Shevaun (Sha-vorn phonetically). Either way, both are acceptable and very similar.