Applegate Takes Tally to Four Golds
10th March 2013
Paralympic Champion Jessica-Jane Applegate (S14) scooped her fourth gold of the four-day meet in the MC 50m Freestyle on the final day of the British Gas International in Leeds.
The UEA Norwich swimmer improved on her British Record from the heats setting 28.04 (1101 points) to finish ahead of fellow S14 swimmer Chloe Davies (Trowbridge) who swam to a new lifetime best of 29.77 (920 points) and Romford Town’s Amy Marren (S9) in 30.35 (876 points), also a new British Record.
“That was okay, it’s not what I wanted,” said Applegate. “If I’m honest I wanted the time for Nationals for youths, for abled bodied as well as the disability - that was a 28.04 - and the time I need is 27.97 so I’m completely gutted.
“I am really trying to go for the abled bodied nationals, I’m really competitive so hopefully next time I’ll get it. This week has been great though.”
Edinburgh University’s Craig Rodgie (S14) claimed the Men’s MC 50m Freestyle crown.
Having already lifted MC 100m Butterfly gold in Leeds, Rodgie improved on his personal best in the heats to set 25.82 (940points) – just 0.03 off the British Record.
“That was great, that was a PB in heavy training so I’m really happy with that.
“I was looking to go 25. Tonight, I was aiming for the British record and I got close but I’m happy with that.
“The week has gone okay. I was ill a couple of weeks ago so I’ve come here and to see what I need to do ahead of the trials next month.”
Matthew Walker won silver in 29.25 (847 points) while Josef Craig took bronze in 29.43 (831 points).
Harriet Lee impressed to win gold in the MC 100m Breaststroke, beating a strong challenge from Paralympic silver medallist Charlotte Henshaw (SB6).
The Peterborough swimmer touched for gold in 1.20.32 (879 points) with Henshaw in second with 1.41.35 (837 points)
Claire Cashmore took bronze in 1.23.28 (796 points).
Lee said: “I’m really happy with that time, it will give me confidence for the next four weeks of training.
“Touch wood this year the preparations have been going well. I swam a really good 200m Breaststroke too so it’s going well ahead of trial.
“As well as this, I’m focusing on the 200IM and 50 Free at the trials too, there is a lot more to come in those events.”
Scott Quin (SB14) improved his own British Record to win the MC 100m Breaststroke gold in the final event of the meet.
The Warrender swimmer took the title in 1.09.14 (897 points) ahead of Stockport Metro’s Dan Pepper (SB14) in 1.13.72 (740 points) and Aaron Moores in 1.15.76 (682 points).
“Just looking at the board when I touched to see the time, I was so excited. I’m so happy.
“I didn’t expect to swim so fast, I’ve had a bit of a niggle but I spoke to my coach and my physio just today they gave me the support and they told me to relax, swim as well as I could and tonight paid off.
“Hopefully I have a few sets to finish off in hard training before taper ahead of the trials so I’m trying to get the key things right. Speak to Laurel (Bailey) and Kris (Gilchrist) and see where we can make improvements.”