Aberdonian Robbie Renwick and Garioch’s Hannah Miley were stars of the Commonwealth Games trials – now they are both aiming to be in the medal hunt at Glasgow 2014.
Now based and training in Glasgow, Renwick won three titles in the Scottish Gas National champion-ships at the Tollcross International Centre and made two Games qualifying times.
He had not been happy after he won the 100m freestyle but missed out on a Glasgow 2014 time on Thursday. But he was thrilled and relieved to make the standard in both the 200m and 400m.
The 200m freestyle was one of races of the final session and the 25-year-old made sure he will be defending the title at the Commonwealth Games by taking gold in 1:47.60.
“I came to these cham- pionship aiming to get the Games times in the 200m and 400m and I’m happy to have done it,” said the two-time Olympian. “Now I’ll be able to chill out for a few days and really concentrate on getting ready for Glasgow this summer.”
The always gutsy Miley was the most prolific competitor in the champion-ships and went home to Inverurie with six gold medals in the bag. She completed the half-dozen with a win in the 200m butterfly in 2:12.66, just edging out 16-year-old Tain Bruce (2:16.06).
Miley has Games qualifying time in the two medleys and the 800m freestyle and will be defending the 400m IM in Glasgow.
“I’ve had strong and solid swims and I am just a bit disappointed I didn’t get another qualifying time in the butterfly,” said the 24-year-old.
“Taking part in so many events is hard work, but that’s the way I like it. Now there’s a lot more tough training to put in over the next few months.”
It was also job well done for Dan Wallace. In a fleeting trip home from the University of Florida, the Warrender man claimed Commonwealth Games qualifying times in the two medleys and the 400m freestyle.
In the final race, the 400m individual medley, he lost out for gold to the experienced Lewis Smith (4:16.28) but was delighted to make the Games mark in 4:16.40. Third-placed Ross Muir was also inside the time in 4:20.05.
“The pressure was on because I am not staying on for the British champion-ships next week,” said Wallace, who made his Team GB debut at last year’s world championships in Barcelona and is determined to be a medal challenger come Glasgow 2014.
Corrie Scott broke the Scottish record in the 50m breaststroke in 31.38sec and led a medal clean sweep for Edinburgh University. Kathryn Johnstone (31.53sec) and Andrea Strachan (31.65sec) also made the Games requirement.
Sian Harkin (University of Stirling), who had already qualified for the 50m freestyle and 50m butterfly, claimed a third national title with a win in the 100m freestyle in 56.06sec and admitted she was surprised to beat three-time Olympian Caitlin McClatchey (56.14sec).
McClatchey memorably won the 200m and 400m freestyle at the 2006 Commonwealth Games but admits that, at 28, it is getting harder to step up to the mark.