National swimming entries up fifth

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33777, 25 February 1975, Page 28

National swimming entries up fifth

(By

KEVIN TUTTY)

The standard of New Zealand swimming Jias risen tremendously in the last 14 months. Entries for the 1975 national open championships at Queen Elizabeth II Parkton March 5. 6. 7, and 8 are up almost 20 per cent on last season's titles.

The success of the Commonwealth Games team last year is responsible for the inincreased entry. The last championships in December, 1973, were the Games trials, and usually entries are heavier in years in which teams are being picked for Olympic or Commonwealth games. The national selectors, who set qualifying times for the championships, did not make any changes this year, but there will almost certainly be several next season. For example, entries in the women’s 200 m individual medley have doubled from 14 to 28, and the women’s 200 m freestyle entry has risen from 19 to 36. Entries for the men’s 100 m freestyle are up from six to 15. Diving entries are also higher. In all, 143 competitors have qualified for the championships, and there are 433 entries in individual events. Canterbury has a team of 29 to defend the Yaldhurst Shield* awarded to the centre which wins the most titles. It has the largest team, but Waikato has a team of 28, and Auckland one of 27. In the last two years Otago’s strength has increased considerably, but this

season it has entered a team o f only 15. Only two of the 15 centres in the New Zealand Amateur Swimming Association — North Auckland and NelsonMarlborough — will not be represented. Last season II centres had teams at the championships. Monique Rodahl (Auckland) and Mark Treffers (Canterbury) have the heaviest programmes. Both have qualified in seven events. The Harold Pettit Shield, for the swimmer gaining most points, will be a duel between these two New Zealand representatives. Jane Lowe (Bay of Plenty) holds both women’s national

breaststroke records, but her form is lagging. In the 100 m event she is eleventh qualifier among 13 entries.