SWIMMING

Evening Star, Issue 20060, 28 December 1928, Page 10

SWIMMING

OTAGO'S PROSPECTS REVIEWED [By Hooker.] Now that the Otago championships have been decided it is possible to discuss the province’s prospects of representation at the national championships at Wellington in February, and while the matter of financing the team will bo one that may cause difficulty it should bo possible to surmount this with the loyal co-operation of tho swimmers and supporters of tho various clubs. So far as the senior swimmers arc concerned, Otago’s chances look far from bright, for in no single instance in free stylo events at uhe provincial fixture was New Zealand championship form shown, though both X. 11. Bailey ami C. J. M‘l,ean swam well. The former, whose beat ‘ distance is UJtlyds, retained his title in this event and also carried oil tho 4-10yds championship, but his beat time was _ registered in the lUUyds championship, _ in which his time was 65 3-ssec. Bailey won easily, and had he been pushed he could probably have reduced this by at least 3scc, but even that would not be good enough to win a national title nowadays. Bailey finds difficulty in getting away from his business, but it he is'available he will stand a very good chance of selection, as tho province’s official representative in the Annette Kcllcrman Cup race, and is certain to be entered for at least two of the national championship events. JFLean was at a, disadvantage at the provincial fixture, as lie hud just arrived from Auckland ami was noticeable short of training.. Yet he won the Otago 220yds championship in ‘-mm i5-lsee—iKcc" faster than Ins time last Vl v tl |- and he also accounted lor the 88(lvds championship in slow time. M’!,can will probably improve considerable before the national championships', and as he gained a third place and bettered standard tune in the mi-

tional mile last year his claims for inclusion iu the Otago team cannot be overlooked altogether. M’Lean is a good all-rouud performer, ami likely to pick up points for his province if he swims us well as lie did last season. Miss M. Jepsoii was the. only swimmer in the ladies’ division, but her swimming was disappointing, and il she is to bo a contender for a place in the Utago team she will have to be given a trial for the purpose of seeing if she is capable of turning in time that might bo considered to give her a chance at the New Zealand championships. In neither lUOyds nor 220yds did Miss Jcpson swim near to championship form last week, and unless she. improves considerably her chances at the New Zealand championships cannot ho regarded as particularly bright. In the men’s breast stroke division Otago has one swimmer who is practically certain of inclusion in the team, for C. B. Lewis has previously won u New Zealand title, and while he has done better time than that which he registered last week in winning the Otago 220yds breast stroke title, he won so easily that he is certain to reduce this considerably before the New Zealand championships arc- decided. It would be rash to assert that Lewis will boat cither Herd or Syluw, but he is a. strong, powerful breast stroke exponent, and is capable ot making a good .showing at the national fixture. Both W. Boyd and S. Fogg are promising -hack stroke exponents, and although Hie rmer’s winning time at the Otago championships was below championship standard, he is the type of >’.viminer who should irn'Tovo ii he (b s more attention to the back st.-. Ho will probably hp a coinpn.Lor at the New Zealand championships, and should profit from the experience. lie will gain there, the same remarks apply to Fogg. Several of those likely to gain places in the Otago water polo team arc members of the St. Clair Life Saving Club, who will be in Wellington for the lifesaving championships, ami others who are candidates for inclusion in the polo team will also he taking part in other championship events, so that it should ho possible for O';-mi to be. represented in the valer •; 'o championship, in which a fair team should he got together—one which may be expected to make an improved showing even on the form shown Inst year. ’The matter of expense is tho biggest consideration in this respect, but il most of the polo players arc going to be in Wellington in any case a polo team should" certainly be entered. Otago supporters have high hopes of the divers, and Otago may win all ihe diving titles, two of which arc at present hold by this province. Roy Caldcr has won the molds national diving championship three times, and at the Otago championships last week lie gave one of the host exhibitions of his career. His success is very likely, and he is sure to make a good impression upon the Wellington public,, as lie is one of the most finished divers who have yet been seen in New Zealand, lie has all the attributes of the successful diver—-a lovely flight, wonderful command of balance in I ho air, gamcness. am! a neat entry, ami, personally, the writer will he surprised if his colours are lowered at Wellington, it is not certain yet that Mick Walker will make the trip, but should he he available Otago will have a good second string to Cafiler, and one who has a big chance of .securing at least second place, which he filled hist season for the second time, while ho ha? also won the title twice. Walker dived exceedingly well at the Otago championship'., and was not far behind ('alder, and it is to be hoped lie will find himself able to make the trip to Wellington. A. M. Rix is (ho present holder of the Now Zealand intermediate diving championship, and he was going well at the Otago championships. He is not yet in the (’alder or Walker class, but ho has improved a lot, and will be, hard to dispossess of the intermediate title, for lie is an improved performer on his last season’s showing. Otago has always been well to the fore in ladies’ diving. The first year ladies' diving was competed for as a championship event, Miss M. Morrison, a Kiwi and Otago representative, secured the national title, which Miss M, Foote, of the Dunedin Club, brought back to the province again in 1926. Both were first-class divers, ami the latter has a younger sister, of whom good tilings arc predicted this year. She is Miss D. Foote, twice winner ul flic Otago ladies’ championship. She was ninncr-up to Miss 1,. Hood in the Now Zealand ladies’ titular event last season, and, though her form at tho Otago championships last week was not as good as on that occasion, still, it was .sufficiently good to lend encouragement to the belief that she will be a, serious contender for Miss Hood’s title if she only settles down to solid training. She should score on her voluntaries if she makes the most of her preparation during the next four or five weeks. Miss J. Eggcrs is another promising lady, but one of the most likely of all i-s Miss Olive Crowley, She did not compote at the championships, and could hardly be sent by the centre’s fluids, but should her club defray her expenses she might he expected, to profit from the experience she will pain, even if she does not succeed in gaining a place. The intermediate boys’ division was a poor one, B. Kerr being the only frec-style competitor at the championships, and he is 'not up to recognised championship standard. though he shows some promise. In the breaststroke, however, C. Durand, a St. Clair youngster, is a good style of swimmer, whose claims for inclusion in the Otago team should not. be passed by too lightly, for he. will probably improve upon the time lie, registered at the Otago championships. In the girls’ division, Miss M. Mathieson was. outstanding, and it is unlikely she will be beaten in the New Zealand 75yds breast-stroke championship if she can reproduce the form she showed, at last week’s meeting. Her time, Imiyi Ssec, at tho Otago championships, is but little worse than the New Zealand record, and she will probably improve upon these figures if she is provided with solid opposition at Wellington. She did 80 l-ssec in the 100yds intermediate girls free-style event . at the Otago championships, and, while this is hardly good enough to win a New Zealand title in this division, she. may do better in Wellington, and it is on the cards that, she will .gain a place in the free style event as well. Tho junior boys’ division is one in which Otago should be represented

with much distinction, Reggie Geddes being the outstanding performer in his class locally. 'The Kiwi youngster is the holder of tho New Zealand 75yds junior breast stroke title, and as he was 1 l-ssee off' Leslie. Olds’s dominion record for the event when he won it at the Otago championships his chance of retaining his title would appear to ho very bright. He has covered 150yds in Imi n 59 l-ssec, and looks to have a big chance of success in the New Zealand junior boys’ 220yds freestyle championship, while his 74sec for iOUyds shows that he may have to bo reckoned with in this event as well. Besides Geddes, W. Jarvis is a junior above the ordinary, especially over the shorter distances. He is capable of being placed at tho New Zealand championship, and as the expense of sending juniors away is not a great deal lie should he considered when tiie team is being selected. Miss M. Rowley is a promising junior girl, though not up to championship standard yet. She will improve with experience, however. Summed up, it should lie possible lor Otago to he represented by a very fair all-round team at the New Zealand championships, though the divers and the juniors will be our best hopes. It will bo surprising if several titles arc not brought back to Dunedin. WATER POLO. The water polo competition tor the Stuart Banner was advanced a jnrthcr stage on Friday night when the, Dunedin Club was at home to St. Clair B. The latter is merely tilling a, gap in the competition, and is a. tar from strong side, Imt Dunedin made no mistake'’about the result,’ winning by 6 goals to 2. Five goals were scored by J, Fleming, an improving swimmer, who also shows promise as a polo player, and the other was scored by Caldcr. who represented Otago at water nolo last season. Dunedin showed to better advantage iu this match than in its opening game against St. Clair, an improvement being noticeable in the throwing of players. Mick’ Walker was unable to [day for Dunedin, and his pi nee was taken by the junior hoy. W. Jarvis, who did quite well for a youngster. As was only to he expected, his throwing was a bit weak, but he will improve with practice. SR LASHES. As a junior and intermediate swimmer, G. Bridsoii registered some great performances, and the I act that he was unable to conic to Dunedin last season to compete in the. men’s events at the national championships was much regretted. On the way the big Aucklander is swimming at present it certainly looks as if bo is going to provide Dave Lindsay with some solid opposition at. the ' New Zealand championships in February. At the Grammar Club’s carnival in Auckland a fortnight ago lie swam convincingly in his heat of the 220yds handicap, Ins time being 2min M3sec. . His time was 1 2-sscc outside the New Zealand salt water record, the fresh water record for the distance, being 2niin 29sec, held by D. P. Lindsay. According tn tho Aimkliiml Herald, (). Holland, who showed much promise as a member ol the Kiwi Club in Dunedin prior to his departure for Auckland. last season, swam impressively against mneli older opponents in the 100yds Grammar Schools’ championship. The winner's time was 64 l-oscc. Holland being just beaten for second place. Holland won tho boys’ handicap in good time. Last season Holland was the Otago intermediate, hoys champion, and though his limes were not last, he showed splendid style, being a strong swimmer with a good stroke, as was only to be expected ol a boy who had been coached New Zealand's foremost coach, Mr E. H. Olds. , „ In a l.Ul'vds handicap at the .Mount Eden Carnival in Auckland hist week, Miss I), Magee, who heal Miss Ena Stock ley ill the Auckland IGOyds ladies’ championship last season, won in d 3-ssec, and while tho time was not particularly fast, it was good tor so oarlv in the season. Miss Ena Stock ley. New Zealand JiKlvds champion, made her first appearance in New Zealand since the Olvmpic Games at the W aitcmat.i Cliib’s Carnival in Auckland last week, and though she swam well in her heat of the oOvds handicap, she failed to qualify for the final. At this; carnival the veteran, J. Emvright, won the 220yds handicap off llsec. his lime being 2min 4Dee. Considering the, tiimrhe lias been swimming, Emvright is a wonder. THE HARBOUR RACE. Next month should he a busy one for local swimmers, for, in addition to the Kiwi Club’s carnival on January 24, tho Utago Centre will stage its second annual race lor the, Batt Cup in Otago Harbour on January 19, and the swimmer with lastest time will be Otago’s official representative in the Kellorman Cup swim at Wellington, where conditions are much akin to those riding in Otago Harbour. Last season the Butt Gup race was held in March, and created considerable interest, the winner being a Indy, Miss O. Macassey, of the St. Clair Club, whlie fastest time went to N. H. Bailey, of tho Kiwi Club, who swam a great race, and finished close up in second place, off the scratch mark. • Swimmers will need to got down to training for this event from now onwards, ’ and it is expected that this year’s race will be even more closely contested than was the case last season. There should ’ o a better struggle for fastest time between such swimmers as }3ailey a M'Lcan, and Ces. Lewis, and it is to be hoped that some of tho best of the lady swimmers will also bo found taking part. CLUB JOTTINGS. There will be little doing among the various clubs now until after tho holidays, but when the Kiwi Club resumes its hour on January 8, a start will be made with a number of trial races prior to the selecting of the teams for the Kiwi House Banner competition. The swimmers will also be arranged into classes for specialised, coaching. . ~ , , St. Clair Life Saving Club has been putting in some good work on tho beach during the past week or so, but [ would suggest to the committee of this club that as it is likely to be represented in the life-saving championships at Wellington, it should from time io time give specially advertised

displays on tins beach, at which a collection might bo taken up. Thu results mighi not ]ie as largo as anticipated, but, .still, every little helps, and the club should lake every opportunity it can to impress upon the public the importance of the work it is performing through sheer, enthusiasm for the sport. 'R. Gothics, the junior swimming star, lias already made a variation in his training in that ho has been doing a fair amount ol swimming of late at the IS!. Clair Baths, with a view to accustoming himself to the salt water in dhich the New Zealand championships will be decided this season. Buy Caldor, Miss D. Foote, Miss 0. Crowley, A. M. Bis, and G. Staples arc well known divers who have also been noticed working on the board at St. Clair. Miss Foote, by the way, is diving nicely just now, and Miss Crowley, Loo, lias made rapid improvement. She ims been trying a screw, and has also done a It somersault very neatly. This girl is going to bo heard of in tile diving world one of these days. It is little wonder the St. Clair players have combination when it comes to water polo inachcs, for few opportunities for practice arc wasted. It was quite a novel sight on Sunday to see a number of players tossing a polo ball about beyond the line of breakers at St. Clair. Keenness counts for a lot. One of the outstanding features of the swimming season to dale has been the rapid progress and consistency of the young Bondi Stale sprint title holder, Jean Cocks (says an Australian writer). Previously Olympic representative F/dna Davey held pride of place for 220yds with the all-Australian record of 2. -IS 1-1 for the distance. At Bondi Baths, Jean Cocks recently covered the furlong in the same time, but her iignrcs are really better, for Edna Davey's were registered over a -?7 yards course. The Wellington championships arc to be held on Saturday. January J2. and keen interest is being taken in the fixture in the Empire City, as the provincial team is to be selected on the form shown at tills meeting. Miss Kathleen Miller, Olympic representative and New Zealand ladies' 220yds and -J-10yds champion, has not had the best of luck since she went to Wellington, her training lately having been interrupted on account ol a poisoned foot. It is on tlie cards that she may not be able to compete at the Wellington championships, for she lias had to receive hospital treatment for the complaint. Noel Ryan, sixteen-year-old Manly wonder, was the outstanding competitor at the fourteenth annual combined high schools’ .swimming carnival at the Domnin Baths recently (says the Sydney ‘Referee’). Although his excellent form this season had suggested the early breaking ol a record, his time for ifoyds of Imin -lUsec, which eclipsed the previous record ofj. Bnrratt by Msec, was phenomenal. This performance is all the more pleasing in view of “ Boy ” Charlton’s retirement this season, and ids inability to meet Arne Borg. Ryan’s swim lias only been beaten by champions such as the abovementioned pair. Another of Barratt’s records was relegated to the background when Ryan beat the standing best schools’ time of ‘2.42 for 220yds by 4 I-oscc. The time was not, however, good for the Manly boy, for last season lie registered 2.06 1-5 in winning the State junior 220yds. A relay race which will be open to teams from all the commercial houses in Christchurch will be one of the attractions at a swimming carnival which will be held at the Tepid Baths on January 30. The teams will consist of four members, each of whom will have to swim one length of the baths.' The carnival, which will be ran by the Canterbury Centre of the New Zealand Amateur Swimming Association, is being held to raise money to send the Canterbury team to the New Zealand championships.—‘ Sun.’ [This is a race that might well be tried out in Dunedin in the very' near future.] As these will be the last notes for the year the writer thanks all who have assisted him by sending in contributions of general _ interest, and extends to swimmers in genera] the best wishes for a “ Happy New Year, -