Great Britain’s Applegate impresses in Leeds pool

“We’re in heavy training at the minute and I want to stay as close to my Games times so when I come to the world trials I will be where I need to be to break world records.”

Paralympic champion Jessica-Jane Applegate (S14) put on an impressive performance at the British Gas International Swimming Meet in Leeds, Great Britain, last weekend (7-10 March).

Applegate scooped her fourth gold of the four-day meet in the multi-class 50m freestyle on the final day of the competition, having already won gold medals in the 200m freestyle, 100m butterfly and the 100m freestyle multi-class events.

The UEA Norwich swimmer improved on her British record from the heats, clocking a 28.04 (1101 points) to finish ahead of fellow S14 swimmer Chloe Davies, who swam to a new lifetime best of 29.77 (920 points). Amy Marren swam a new British record-time of 30.35 (876 points) in the S9 class.

Craig Rodgie (S14) claimed the men’s 50m freestyle crown.

Having already lifted a 100m butterfly gold earlier in Leeds, Rodgie improved on his personal best in the heats to set 25.82 (940 points) – just 0.03 off the British record. 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 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).

Scott Quin (SB14) improved his own British record to win the 100m breaststroke gold in the final event of the meet. The swimmer took the title in 1.09.14 (897 points) ahead of Dan Pepper (SB14) in 1.13.72 (740 points) and Aaron Moores in 1.15.76 (682 points).

Earlier in the event, Craig swam close to his own world-record time to win the 400m freestyle.

Posting the second-fastest time in history for his classification, Craig won the gold in 4.43.53 (992 points) ahead of teammate Jonathan Fox (S7) who was second in 4.50.91 (919 points).

“I’m really pleased with the race, that was nearly as quick as the Paralympic Games,” Craig told British Swimming. “I feel like I’m getting that long course race pace back that I had before the Games.

“We’re in heavy training at the minute and I want to stay as close to my Games times so when I come to the world trials I will be where I need to be to break world records.”

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Great Britain's Jessica-Jane Applegate.