SWIMMING Butterfly Record Broken

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31863, 16 December 1968, Page 8

SWIMMING Butterfly Record Broken

The flagging for* tunes pf butterfly swimming in Canterbury received a muchneeded boost when J. Johnston (Elmwood) bettered the national open qualifying time by Msec and unofficially broke the centre senior record by almost Ssec in a solo swim over 220yds in the North Beach pool on Saturday.

Johnston was competing in the Canterbury centre’! second twilight carnival, and his time of 2tnin 32.95ec for the testing butterfly event was the highlight of the meeting. It is less than two years since the time of 3 m in was broken by a senior man in Canterbury, and the present record of 2mln 40.7,ec. held by B. Ward, Is more than 3sec slower than Miss T. K. Shipston's women’s mark. Johnston could not claim a new record, for he was swimming in a short course pool, but his effort indicated that a long overdue improvement In men’s butterfly times is at hand. Last week the fair-haired Elmwood swimmer equalled Ward’s centre record for 110 yards in the Centennial Pool. The accomplished freestyle and medley swimmer, c. S. Walker (Elmwood), had learned of his inclusion in the premier events contests—to be held In Wellington next Saturdayearlier in the day, and celebrated his selection with three solid freestyle efforts. He won all his races com-

fwtably, and waa clearly the faatest swimmer at the carnival. In the most popular event, the 100 yards, Walker returned SS.Ssec. J. Tillson (Wharenul, 56.Ssec) and F. Murphy (Sockburn Park. SS.gsecl also broke Imln for the distance, while the tall M. Taylor (Spreydon) was timed at SOsec. The fastest girl treestyler Was Maureen Daren (Spreydon), who covered the distance in Imln Ssec. Miss Darch was one of the swimmers who helped Canterbury set national freestyle relay records last season. The national , women’s 110yds W»'p!!«' tented herself with appearances in butterfly and medley races, and her efforts showed that her preparation tor this season's big events is progressing well. She recorded Imln 10.Ssec for 100 yards butterfly and Imln 34.0 sec for 133 l-3yd medley. The older competitors did not have matters all their Own way at the carnival. Jaynle Parkhouse (Wharenul), a 12-year-old with a decided bent for the middle distances, swam 400yds freestyle In 4mln 47.0 sec, while Susan Hunter (Spreydon) recorded 2mln 37.1 sec tor 200yds breaststroke. Both these times were better than the equivalent old national under 14 records. Tlje freestyle rivalry between the diminutive Wharenul swimmers, Roy Gray and Jimmy Carter, continued. Gray was faster over 100yds, but he had to give way to his crew-cut rival in the 400yds event. Tillson had the best timet for backstroke and medley at the meeting, and K. Gauge,on (Sockburn Park) was the fastest at breaststroke. Among the girl freestylers. Penny Smith (Wharenul) swam with zest to cover 200yds in 2min 28sec, while Kay Neilson (Wharenul). Susan and PhllHppa Truscott (Elmwood) showed ability over the shorter distance.

A recent addition to the Canterbury training squad. J. Cook (Spreydon) was a prominent figure in boys’ races.