O’Connor turns usurper

Siobhan-Marie O’Connor yesterday underlined the promise that propelled her to the Olympics and World Championships by the age of 16 as she eclipsed Hannah Miley in the 200m individual medley in English record time at the British Gas International Swim Meet 2013 in Leeds.
By The Newsroom
Published 8th Mar 2013, 10:35 BST

While for O’Connor there is promise of a highly-successful career, there was an emotional return to form for Jaz Carlin as she dominated an 800m freestyle now shorn of Rebecca Adlington to set a new personal best at the Sir John Charles Centre for Sport.

Miley has dominated both individual medley events domestically in recent years although O’Connor had consistently shone, taking two individual European junior crowns in 2011.

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However, the Bath ITC swimmer last night moved from threat to usurper as she led from start to finish to win in 2mins 10.53secs, 1.06secs ahead of Miley with Bath team-mate Sophie Allen in third.

Carlin has been stricken with illness over the past two years culminating in her missing out on the Olympics. But last night she dominated the 800m freestyle to win in a new best of 8:24.42 ahead of Sheffield’s Ellie Faulkner.

Rotherham’s Joe Roebuck came from seventh at the halfway point to set a new personal best of 53.07 in the 100m butterfly, Olympic finalist Robbie Renwick won the 400m freestyle (3:49.91), Ross Murdoch took the 50m breaststroke (28.12) and Chris Walker-Hebborn headed the 200m backstroke (1:59.06).

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