In the Water

Evening Post, Volume CIV, Issue 150, 22 December 1922, Page 22

In the Water

THE CHAMPIONSHIPS ~> ■ . local swimmers' chances. fixture's. January 27th to 2nd February—New Zealand National Championships (Timaru). February 10-Wellingtou A.S.C. Carnival (Te . Aro Batbs).

(By "Headee.")

The name 3 submitted to the centre by the selector, Mr. P Coira, as those picked by him to go into final training prior to the actual selection being made, comprise probably the only available swimmers who can show anything approaching championship form. Of the soniors, those whose names appear on the list seem to be assured of a place, and the brunt of the fray will no doubt fall on the shoulders of Murrell, who will, in all likelihood, be nominated for all distances from 100 yards up to the mile. This is a fairly heavy undertaking for one swimmer at a championship gathering, but Murrell has .done it before and it will be ho unusual experience for him to again attempt it. His plaoings 'at the last championships were: —100 yards,. 2nd; 220 yards, unplaced; 440 yards, unplaced; 880 yards, 3rd; 1 mile, 3rd. He. won.his heat.in the 220 yards, but did not gain a place in the final. From this it appears that he is weakest over the middle distances, but with the training'he' is at present undergoing he should show up more prominently than heretofore. ■ Possessed of the- physique ho is, it: is the opinion of/many sound judges that he is tne one swimmer 'at present in New Zealand who could have any pretensions of emulating, the deeds, of Malcolm Champion, . who was without doubt the finest all-round swimmer ' this ' Dominion has produced. In this the writer agrees, and it will be interesting to see how ho shapes this season when properly trained. Edwards, the ■ other free-style swimmer, will only compete in the shorter distances, confining most, of his attentions to tho sprint event, and ho should improve considerably on- his last year's performance, when he ' was third in his heat and unplaced in the final; similar to the positions fie filled in the 50 yards invitation scratch race. Albert Claridge, tho breast-stroke exponent, is over the ago for the intermediate class, so now becomes a Benior. Ha won tho intermediate championship last season, and also competed in the open race, in which ho put up a great ofl'ort and was beaten only by inches by C. Atkinson, so that his claim a3 a breaststroke representative could' hardly be overlooked. Hicks, tho diver, and present holder of tho title, has no rival for his position in tho team; and even if he had, tho rival would need to be somebody above the ordinary, as Hicks, in form, approaches the brilliant stage. . In ' the intermediate class, C. Claridge stands alone as far as this province, is concerned, and must be in the final choice. He is swimming very well at present, and should be in propor racing condition when the championships come up for decision, ! and this fact, coupled with his meritorious I performances at last season's big meeting, entitles him to his place in the team. I His positions were:—loo j'ards, 3rd; 220 j yards, 2nd'; 880 yards, Ist; and, in addition, ho was third in the open 440 yards, i ovor which distance there is' no intermediate championship. As the new rule, which debars junior and intermediate swimmers from competing in ■ the class above them, unless they wish to break the status'of their own class, is likely'to be in force, Claridgo is doing the right thing by remaining intermediate and competing in that.class only. He should add to the one title'" he already holds. G. Evatt is the breast-stroke swimmer, who first came into, prominence a couple of seasons ago, and comment was made at tho timo in these columns that he wbuld 'develop into a top-notcher, and ho seems to be well on the way towards fulfilling the Eromisa expected. He is still a growing py, and will be of tho right physique.His stroke is still on the short side, but this 13 probably due .to fresh-water swimming, of which he does quite a lot when on holidays. At the last championships, for a 1 novice, ho did rather well in getting third place, and with the winner of that event (A. Claridge) now up to senior, he appears to have a good chance ol gaming a title. He is at present in Blenheim, and ia taking full advantage of the fresh-water baths for training, tho same as he did last season. .The backstroke is also receiving his attention, but as the only event of that description is a senior one, the new rule will preclude his entering unless an exception is made of this' event. ' The young ■ lady intermediate, Miss Imandt, is a much-improved swimmer, but the selector will probably require another fortnight or so to determine if hor times are such as'warrant her being included in the team. She is training assiduously. For the sake of the province, it is to be hoped that sho ■ >vilf be able to display form good enough to entitle her to be its representative, although at present it seoms doubtful. It is in -the junior grade that the selector is experiencing most difficulty in securing suitable talent, and with the large numbers of children in the city who are regular attendants at the baths, it is more than surprising that so very '.few good juniors aro available. Tho same difficulty was experienced last season, but it was expecte-d that the successful national championship gathering would have acted a3 a stimulus to the younger'swimmers towards achieving distinction in the swimming sport. This, however, does not appear bo be the case, as will, be seen by the small number of juniors that are included in tho list. Of the trio, Miss Sinclair Breen is the most likely ono for ■ selection, and sho^ is training with an earnestness that might well be copied. by the. elder swimmers. She shows much promise as a breaststroke swimmer, and should break standard time at this particular style. In the free style she also shows promise, and though tho timo ia now too short to make much improvement in her stroke, it would be wise policy on both tho centre's and selectors part to send her to Timaru. The experience sho would gain would be reflected next season as she would still be a junior, 1 and the provision of swimmers for the/future is the object of the institution of this : grade of championship. The boys, Bridison, and H. Clnridge, are not nearly up : to the class of M'Tigue, the present holder. !of all Iho junior titles. Bridson was last year's schoolboy champion, and it was considered at the time that he would be a likely junior representative. He has certainly improved on his previous efforts, but does not seem to tako the sport seriously enough to try and remedy his stroke .faults. Still, ho is a possibility, and the next fortnight will give him the chance to favourably imprests the selector. Claridge, was third in tho junior breaststroko championshin last season, and is a trier all the time. If he can break standard times in thn' free stylo distances ho will probably gel tho trip. In connection with the final, selection of the 'inlermedialo p-irls' and junior boys' and girls' representatives, it was '"decided at the last meeting of the centre, on the recommendation of thn selector, to hold trial races over the various ldisb!.nces. nml Lhoso are to by held on t'"e 3-d and 4tn January at thn Tp A'-o U-.lhf—Voys nt 5.1? p.m. and girls at & p.m. Th? entrants will not bo confined to those already noniinsilerl by l.'ie seloftor. and any boy <_ir pii-l who tvis';os to c!o so may compote in these trials, n'-ovidod, of course, thiit-thoir neres nre within ihoso required'for tho Iwp clitiHi'4, viz., junier, thcisc who luivc not tittuined tho age of 14 years oa tha lat o!

October, and intermediate, those who have not attained the age of 17 years on the Ist of October. Any youngster who has any pretensions oE, being a swimmer, should make a point of being at the baths on these dates, and if they show any class at all, they-will stand a good chance of a free trip to Timaru. . Bill Harris, the noted Honolulu crack sprinter and American Olympio representative, commenced his tour last Saturday at Hamilton, when he was oredited with 30sec. for the 66 yards. Pretty slick moving this, and easily a world's record if correct, which is doubtful. As it was his first appearance in this country, 36sec would be nearer tho mark. This is at the rate of 54 3-ssec for the hundred, and thia time ho has repeatedly done in Honolulu: Ho is undoubtedly a great sprinter, and it is regrettable that the dates available for his appearance here were not suitable. However, tho local centre are not without hope that they may yet- be' able to stage his appearance, and are at prosent in communication with the New Zealand Council with a view to making suitable arrangements. Harris is scheduled to leave Wellington for Australia on the 6th January, and if he is to appear here at all( it would be on the night preceding, Thursday, and the carnival would, of course, be held in the Tepid Baths. All swimmers and supporters will.welcome the opportunity of seeing this famous star in action, and are hoping the local centre "will be able to successfully negotiate for his appearance. ' Jack Enwright. of Auckland, is managing W. Harris throughout his tour, and should be the right man for the position. Being the present Dominion sprint champion.xhe is an added attraction to the carnivals at which Harris appears, and participates in all events with him, thus getting himself into proper racing form to defend his title at the forthcoming championships. Appearances' were made at i eilding and Palmerston North during the .week, Lou Salek, of Wellington, being a competitor at both places. Phil., Edwards, also of this city, was a competitor at the last-named place. There will be-no Centre inter-club event during the holidays, as a good number of the - swimmers will be, away holiday-mak-ing. A recommencement will be made on 11th January, when a- 440 yards handicap will bo held. This will be a good work out for the representative team that goes to Timaru. . " , ' . W. Hicks is a daily attendant at tho baths, and is rapidly getting into form for the big meeting. His execution-of the Isander Bike dive is'still full of brilliance, and he will no doubt make this one of his voluntary dives. "Header" takes tho opportunity of wishing all swimmers and supporters and readers of this column tho season's greetings, with a wish that the weather will be on its" best behaviour for the period, so that they may enjoy to the full the pleasures and benefits of their favourite sport.