The Scottish nomination list, by events, grew by one on Saturday at the North District Open/Scottish Grand Prix in Aberdeen. This meet serves as the final selector for the Scottish Commonwealth Games swim team, and only in events where three haven’t already qualified.
See qualifying standards here.
The one new qualification on Saturday went to Hannah Miley in the 400 free. There, she swam a 4:09.91 to beat Keri-Anne Payne’s 4:13.74. Miley is one of the Scottish team’s brightest stars and best medal hopes in Glasgow. She already had four qualifications coming into this meet (800 free, 200 breast, 200 IM, 400 IM), and this now adds a 5th swim. Despite likely coming into this meet mostly with the intent of getting in some good racing, that time is just six-tenths away from Miley’s best. She continues to improve in these freestyle events.
Among other winners include Robbie Renwick, who is also already on Team Scotland. He won the 200 free in 1:50.00, beating Josh Walsh (1:50.64) and Stephen Milne (1:50.85). Led by Renwick, Scotland looks really deep in the 200 free, and they’re going to continue to get deeper (4th was a 1:50.95 from 17-year old Duncan Scott). The Scots were 2nd at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in the 800 free relay.
The day’s two backstroke races both went to swimmers who won their respective 50’s on Friday. Lucy Hope won the 100 back in 1:03.73, and Charlie Boldison (who is English) dominated the men’s 200 back in 2:01.34.
I really don’t understand why she enters so many events when it’s clear that her bread and butter events are the IMs. I can’t imagine swimming so many events where you know you’re going to be missing the dais by a longshot would do much for a swimmer’s confidence, especially when she could save that effort for events she can actually win.
imo, there is little chance for Miley to win any event aside from 400 IM in the CWG. She may try to compete in many events, but she’s no Belmonte or Hosszu yet.