Silver for Milne at the British champs
Milne (left) Perth swim star Stephen Milne powered to a 400m freestyle silver at the British Championships earlier this week.
The 22-year-old clocked 3:46.16 in Sheffield, a consideration time for the World Championships, to finish behind England’s James Guy.
Milne’s long-term Perth City Swim Club coach Ann Dickson was pleased with the swim.
“It was a good swim from Stephen and he has only ever gone faster at that distance at the Olympic Games,”she told the Perthshire Advertiser.
“James Guy went out very fast and it turned out to be a great race for second between Stephen and Max Litchfield.
“James just has slightly more speed than Stephen just now but we have to believe that the gap can be closed.
“The time was within 2% of the consideration time for the World Championships but the team will be decided later this month.”
Dickson believes the second-place performance will have given Milne, a former Perth Academy pupil, a boost.
She said:“I think it’s been
quite difficult for Stephen because competing in Rio at the Olympics was a lifetime ambition of his.
“It can be tough to get going again after that. But we were delighted with the silver and it will give him a boost.”
Fellow Perth City Swim Club member Scott McLay (17) produced a stunning 50m backstroke to win gold in the junior final with a time of 26.23.
The Strathallan student then secured bronze in the 100m backstroke.
“Scott is very much a sprinter and has a big physique,”Dickson added. “It’s certainly great to have swimmers from the club at this level.
“But there are some others beginning to knock at the door too.”
Milne was going for glory in his favoured 1500m distance yesterday.