Little enthusiasm at swimming titles

Press, Volume CXIII, Issue 33141, 3 February 1973, Page 4

Little enthusiasm at swimming titles

(By

K. R. TUTTY)

Canterbury swimming championships invariably produce a number of stirring finishes and the 1973 series was no exception. In spite of these more memorable moments, however, there was a general lack of enthusiasm among competitors and spectators in comparison to previous seasons. It almost seemed as if Canterbury swimming, which has slipped from the high position it held two years ago, was going into hibernation. Although the sport is in a transitional period after losing several of its best swimmers, there will have to be more keenness and competition for the older swimmers, if Canterbury is going to return to its previous standard. The most disappointing

was the severe lack of senior women competitors, an area where Canterbury has been strong in recent years There was not one women’s event with a full field of seven finalists. The most was five — in the 100 metres breaststroke. Three events had four competitors and there were seven with three, two or a solo swimmer Miss S. J. Hunter (Wharenui). who won six titles, had to swim two events solo and her clubmate and fellow New Zealand representative. Miss J. M. Parkhouse, swam one event on her own.

It was no wonder that their times were very slowcompared to their best. Too often these girls have been forced to race against the

In the men’s events, however. the fields were much larger, with rhe win °f Sockburn Park’s R. McCah» in the final of the 100 metres freest'le being the highlight of the champion-

With four wins in freestvle events and two in hutterflv. G Dinnison (Wharenui) was the best n»Hormer. while the New Zealand r*p r esentatives. R. f-wjn and R Grev (both Whsreniii). indicated thev «hniiM he near their neak f n r rhe chamnjnn«hin« this month. Credit muM h* tivtn f n fho *=wi r n rn P r<: «iich as A R Kindred G. Walker, P. Walls and J. Tillson, who

helped fill the senior men’s fields and provide vital opposition for the younger entrants.

The star of the championships would have been M. Trembath with wins ip the eight junior events he contested. In several of these he had to fight for the title, but his ability to produce powerful sprints over the last few metres saw him through. J. Laugesen (Sockburn Park) and B. Honeybone (St Albans), who each won a junior breaststroke title, also showed versatility in freestyle sprinting. Miss L. Rowe (Wharenui) won eight events in the junior girls’ age-group, and most of her victories were decisive, unlike Trembath’s. Her performance was still very creditable, but it was perhaps unfortunate that she could not have been pitted against Miss Hunter in one or two of the senior backstroke or individual medley contests. Miss W. Wakefield (Wharenui) won seven titles—six of them in breaststroke—in three different age-groups. She was no doubt seeking all the racing she could in preperatlon for the Australian championships, where she will represent New Zealand for the first time.

There were junior girls who did not win titles but who consistently gave Miss Rowe competition and they deserve recognition for their perserverance. The notable ones were Misses L Clark and M. McManus (Wharenui) and G. Smeith (St Albans). Miss J. Murdoch (Wharenui), swimming out of her age-group, won two under 14 titles and five in the under 13 section. A series of illnesses prevented her from reaching peak form, but next year, barring illness, she should fulfil the promise she showed last season.

Her club-mate, Miss A. M. Corboy, seldom in the limelight, is slowly developing her potential and was rewarded with two titles. A young Westport girl, Miss B. Ryan, would have been pleased with her visit to the championships, taking two under 14 titles. E. Box (Wharenui) set one record, but usually looked below form, while S Poore (Wharenui) caused an upset by beating Box in the 200 metres backstroke and continuing his exceptional improvement.

P. McDonald (New Brighton), a strong under 14 swimmer, looks a bright prospect after taking the two breaststroke events. M. Smith (Rangiora), with two. wins in the under 13 age-group, must have done much to boost the sport in his area, while a young Canadian, R. Carlson, recently settled in Christchurch with his parents, won six events with an excellent, smooth style and could be a find for Canterbury swimming. Miss Murdoch dominated the under 13 girls’ events, but Miss K. Baker (Sockburn Park), always a trier,

took the breaststroke events and a Hokitika girl, Miss S. Washington, gained the butterfly honours. Misses J. Tweedie (Sock-

burn Park) and L. Cairns (Wharenui) provided some exciting finishes in the under 12 girls’ events with the latter winning four titles and Miss Tweedie three. The boys under 12 titles were shared by C. Roberts, R. Pentecost and R. Tullet (all St Albans), M. Forbes (Elmwood), M. Quinlivan (Beckenham) and P. Rowe (Wharenui), who was swimming out of his age-group. Like his sister, Rowe won eight titles, including all seven in the under 11 agegroup. Three of his winning times were new records. Similarly in the under 11 girls’ events. Miss T. Garland (Wharenui) won all seven races and set four records.

Another exceptional performer, such is often found in the younger age-groups, was Richard Cocks (Wharenui), who won six of the seven under 10 boys’ events and set one record, previously held by Rowe. Cocks was beaten by a touch for the other title by L. Marshall (Sockburn Park).

The under 10 girls’ titles were shared by Miss D. Head (Wharenui, five) and Miss A. Potts (New Brighton, two), and Miss Head had the distinction of setting a record.

Several swimmers blamed the pool for poor performances. The cool temperatures were not conducive to good times and the ends of the Dudley Park pool, painted to merge with the water, apparently made it difficult to make turns during the night finals. Considering these points, it will be interesting to note performances when the championships are again held in a fast pool next season—at Queen Elizabeth II Park, before the Commonwealth Games.