CANTERBURY DIVERS SEEK TO REGAIN LOST TITLES

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30478, 27 June 1964, Page 11

CANTERBURY DIVERS SEEK TO REGAIN LOST TITLES

The national men’s and women’s springboard diving titles are at present only on loan to A. M. Winther, of Wellington, and. Miss G. Morley, of Hawke’s Bay. The former champions. Miss Helen Hutton and R. L. Hodge, a light-hearted pair in most circumstances, are strictly serious on that point. With their eyes firmly fixed on the 1965 national meeting, Hodge and Miss Hutton last week started trampoline training under their coach, Mr W. S. Hodge. Their aim is to mark the first New Zealand championships in Dunedin’s brand new Moana pool with twin victories in the tradition of 1961, 1962, and 1963.

Since their defeats at Blenheim, the two Canterbury divers have been out of the limelight But there has been no sulking or brooding on their part; only a wholesale determination to come back better than ever. And in this respect it must be said that the manner in which the two took their de-

will beat University B. But “sano mens, sano corpore,” she selects University A to beat Marist The result of sticking a pin through the programme resulted in Christchurch being chosen to beat Albion and Shirley to beat Belfast. Naturally, with her bent she thinks Old Boys will beat Merivale, and while pointing out that yellow has never been her colour she has been persuaded that New Brighton will beat Suburbs. Lincoln College and Sydenham caused her some bother but falling back on that infallible guide, a women’s intuition, she chooses Sydenfeun.

feats at the last national meeting was exemplary. Their behaviour at the moment of defeat showed that New Zealand swimming and diving can be proud of the sportsmanship of its competitors, if Hodge and Miss Hutton are any criterion.

It is likely that Miss Hutton will prove a more formidable competitor without the title of defend. Tension has prevented her from producing her best in two or three dives at national meetings but her great determination always brought her through. Her barnstorming finish to win the 1962 title on her last dive at Naenae provided one of the unforgettable moments of recent national contests. Ironically she lost the championship in the last round at Blenheim. Holding a small but

comfortable lead, she “went to sleep" on her last effort and the 16-year-old Miss Morley, with a superb final dive, edged her from first place.

Miss Hutton will have nothing to lose when she contests the title at Dunedin next March. She will go into the contest with increased skill and confidence and her fitness, which has never been questioned, may have reached new heights. During the winter she is playing both indoor and outdoor basketball and has again won selection in the representative squad for the latter game. Her display next March could be the best of her career.

Hodge could well have faced a crisis as the result of his defeat, for it was his first loss in 11 years of long and honourable competition in New Zealand. No-one could have accused him of bad sportsmanship had he retired, for his record of 15 national titles, including six successive senior championships, has not been bettered by any Canterbury competitor, either swimmer or diver. His decision to continue is a praiseworthy one; while he remains in competition, the country’s younger competitors have a splendid example of diving skill and demeanour to follow.