Hocking Returns, Sandom Transfers

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29994, 1 December 1962, Page 9

Hocking Returns, Sandom Transfers

YVHXLE it enjoyed suprem- ’ ’ acy in Christchurch primary carnivals last season and is already making its presence felt in this year’s contest, the Wharenui club will need a few years of grace before it has formed a hard core of experienced swimmers to contest the afternoon and evening carnivals. Consequently the club has all the more reason to welcome the return to evening competition of the former national junior backstroke champion and recordholder, B. Hocking, and the transfer of R. Sandorn from Fendalton. Hocking’s occupation precludes him from making a serious return to the pool, but he is available for evening carnivals and has been training with this in view. Now 19, he is an experienced campaigner and should set a good example. Hocking faded out of competition after being runner-up to W. Williamson in the two Canterbury senior backstroke championship races in January, 1961. Earlier he had been national junior 220 yards backstroke champion on two occasions and 100 yards champion once. At the first carnival of the season last Saturday he

won a 110 yards backstroke event in Imin 19.3 sec—a good time considering his long absence from open competition. For Wharenui, Sandom is a valuable acquisition. He won both Canterbury under-13 boys’ backstroke titles Last season but is probably best remembered for his spirited duels with M. Johnston (Feudal ton) in

the three freestyle championship races Johnston won all three but the margins of victory were slender. On Saturday night he gave notice of good performances to come in swimming second to Hocking in a 110 yards backstroke race.