Razorbacks compete for chance in Commonwealth Games

FAYETTEVILLE — Two current Razorbacks and a 2018 signee competed in trials for the 2018 Commonwealth Games over the past week.

Senior Chloe Hannam and 2018 signee Anna Hopkin each competed at the Swim England National Winter Championships last week at Ponds Forge International Sports Centre in Sheffield, England.

Hannam competed in the 400m individual medley and the 100m and 200m backstroke. The Lincolnshire, England, native finished fifth in the 400m individual medley prelims at 4:55.33, qualifying for the A-final, where she touched in 4:52.15, holding her fifth-place showing.

She touched 15th in the 100m backstroke prelims in 1:03.87 to qualify for the B-final. There, she touched second in a personal-best 1:02.82. In the 200m backstroke, she touched first in the prelims in 2:13.48. In the finals, she touched fourth in 2:12.95.

“It’s always exciting when we have our team members trying to make their national teams for upcoming international competition,” said Razorbacks coach Neil Harper. “Chloe had a great showing and proved to everyone that she has successfully come back from her major surgery. By going a personal best, she has proven all the doubters wrong and is continuing one of her best years ever.”

After signing with the Razorbacks in November, Hopkin competed at the Winter Championships, representing the University of Bath in the 50m and 100m freestyle and the 50m butterfly. Hopkin finished first in the 50m freestyle prelims in 25.39.

In the finals, she claimed a podium finish, touching second in 25.33. In the 50m butterfly, the 2018 signee touched sixth in the prelims, finishing in 27.69. In the finals, she touched fourth in 27.24.

She touched second in the 100m freestyle in 55.14. In the A-final, she held her second-place showing with a time of 54.76 for her second podium finish of the week.

“Anna was the fastest English woman in the 50 and 100 and hopefully has gained selection for the English Team which will be announced soon,” said Harper.

Senior Razorback diver Nicole Gillis competed at her respective trial for the games, finishing third on both the 1m and 3m springboards.

“Nicole traveled all the way back to South Africa and placed in the top-three in both 1m and 3m. We will know more about her selection in the near future.”

 Arkansas’ next dual meet is Saturday, January 13, when the Razorbacks host the Tennessee Volunteers at 10 a.m. in the HPER Natatorium. Razorback divers will be in action prior to that in Knoxville, competing at the Tennessee Diving Invite from January 3-5.