Ireland’s Ellen Walshe confirms her place in European Aquatics 200m individual medley final
The Templeogue star clocked 2:06.63 to win her semi-final, slicing almost three seconds off her heat time. She heads into Saturday’s showdown ranked third, just 0.21 seconds behind Britain’s Freya Colbert and Katie Shanahan.
“I was just looking for the top two to put myself in a nice position for tomorrow night… it’ll be a good fight,” Walshe said, adding that she’s excited for her main events, including the 200m Butterfly.
Ellie McCartney finished fifth in the 200m Breaststroke Final in 2:19.90. The 20-year-old had entered as top seed after a 2:18.81 semi-final but admitted disappointment: “My semi-final time would have got me a medal… I know I have more in me.”
Gold went to Germany’s Anna Elendt (2:18.16), silver to Britain’s Angharad Evans (2:18.90), and bronze to Lithuania’s Kotryna Teterevkova (2:19.30).
Fresh from his 200m backstroke title, John Shortt placed seventh in the 100m backstroke final, lowering his Irish record to 50.10.
The 18-year-old has set a world junior record, European junior record, Championship record, and ten Irish records in four days.
“I’d have liked to be under 50, but it’s been a massive week… I’ll give that record another crack at Irish Championships,” he said.
Italy’s Thomas Ceccon took gold in 49.29, ahead of France’s Mewen Tomac (49.46) and Britain’s Oliver Morgan (49.68). Shortt returns on Saturday for the 50m backstroke heats.
Saturday’s action includes Eoin Corby and Adam Bradley in the 50m breaststroke, Rosalie Phelan in the women’s 50m freestyle, and Jack Cassin in the 200m butterfly.
The event in Poland finishes on Sunday.
Meanwhile, in Texas, Mona McSharry qualified second for the 100m breaststroke final at the Toyota US Open in a time of 1:07.07.
Day 5 Schedule – Saturday December 6
Men 50m Backstroke: John Shortt
Men 50m Breaststroke: Eoin Corby, Adam Bradley
Women 50m Freestyle: Rosalie Phelan
Men 50m Freestyle: Evan Bailey, Matthew Hamilton, Adam Bradley, Cormac Rynn
Women 200m IM: Ellen Walshe
Women 200m Butterfly: Ellen Walshe
Men 200m Butterfly: Jack Cassin
