SWIMMING SEASON REVIEWED

Evening Star, Issue 19840, 13 April 1928, Page 13

SWIMMING SEASON REVIEWED

[By Hooker.]

(film WELL TO FORE STANDARD WELL MAINTAINED

With the recent Olympic Appeal Carnival the swimming season, so far Otago is concerned, practically came to an end, and in this review it may be said that it was one of tho most memorable and successful seasons in the history of tho sport in Otago, culminating in the selection of the great champion, Miss Kathleen Miller, for a place in the New Zealand team at the Olympic Games.

NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS. Undoubtedly the event of the season was the New” Zealand _ National Championship Meeting, which was held in Dunedin after an interval of seven years, and though it is unnecessary hero to go into details concerning that fixture it may be said that it has done swimming in Otago untold good, and demonstrated to the public that Otago was well in the fore in competitive swimming, for not only did five titles in the various divisions conic to representatives of the home province, but Otago effected a surprise by filling tho position of runner-up for the Yaldhurst Shield, awarded to the centre whose representatives gained most points in national championships. It was generally expected that possession of the shield would lie between Canterbury and Auckland, but, due principally to the sterling performances of D. P. Lindsay and A. Stokes in the men’s_ national championships, Canterbury lifted the shield from the northerners by a fairly comfortable, margin and by consistent performances on the part of several of its representatives. But especially to the successes gained by Miss Miller in ladies’ title events, Otago crept in and displaced Auckland from the position of rumier-np, thus proving in unmistakable fashion that the standard of swimming locally is on the up-grade. With the recognition of separate records for fresh and salt water by the Now Zealand Amateur Swimming Association, and the fact that this was the first championship meet held in a fresh-water pool since 1925, it was only to be expected that many now marks would be set. hut not oven_ the most sanguine would have predicted the wholesale shattering of records that did take place. The high standard of swimming was maintained throughout the championships, which will go on record as one of the host national meets yot staged. Financially the fixture was a decided success, and when everything is finally settled tho Otago Centre's share of tho profits of the meeting will approximate £SO. which must he considered very satisfactory. While tho conduct of the national championships loft little tn be desired, they showed that the accommodation at the' Municipal Baths is hopelessly inadequate for such a big carnival, and before another is Held in Dunedin it is to he hoped the City Council will very seriously go into the question of improving the accommodation for spectators, especially in the gallery. The trouble at the present time seems to ho that the personnel of the council docs not include anyone who is in direct touch with swimming, and it is probably correct to assert that councillors have very little conception of what has been _ done by the Otago Centre to popularise swimming, and incidentally the Municipal Baths in Dunedin. THE SEASON’S CARNIVALS.

Apart from four nights’ swimming in connection with the New Zealand championships the Otago Centre devoted one night during the course of the carnival week to a burlesque carnival, which was not only a most enjoyable affair, but improved the centre’s finances to the extent of about £2O. The Otago championships were decided over two nights, but. although a small profit was shown on the meeting, the public support accorded the fixture was disappointing, and the standard of swimming, though fair, did not give any very hopeful indications of the splendid showing that was to be made by the Otago swimmers at the New Zealand championships. The centre brought the season to a very successful close with a carnival in aid of too Olympic funds, and from many points of view it was one of the most successful galas that have been hold in Dunedin. No prizes were awarded, excepting one for most points, but the swimmers supported the meeting loyally,'large fields and splendidly-contested finishes being the order of the evening. Outside of those carnivals, the Dunedin, Kiwi, and St. Clair Clubs all held successful meets, a spirit of friendly rivalry being evinced that cannot hut react for the good of the sport. The’Annette Ivellcrman Cup hai'hqr race, which was swum in Dunedin this year, was responsible for increased interest in harbor swimming, and when Mr T. Ratt generously donated a cup for a. local harbor race the Otago Centre staged the event over a li-milo course. It drew a large entry, and produced a spirited finish between one of the limit competitors, Aliss C. Macasseyy who was on 16min, and the scratch swimmer, N. H. Bailey. The latter registered a sterling performance by carving out the distance in Sfimin 56scc; but the lady lias the distinction of being the first to hold the cup, her effort being quite a meritorious performance. This race was held last month, but next season the centre would be well advised to stage it prior to the New Zealand championships, with a view to selecting a swimmer as Otago’s official representative in the Annette Kellerman Cup race. MISS AIILLER’S OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCES. AVithout the shadow of a doubt the outstanding performer of the season has been the Kiwi mermaid, Miss Kathleen Miller, who eclipsed all previous efforts during the progress of the season. Aliss Miller, as is well known, is a product of the coaching of that great instructor, Air E. H. Olds, and her swimming has been n remarkable tribute to the efficiency of his methods. Her stroke is almost perfect, and she has a delightfully smooth, easy stroke, and her claims to being New Zealand’s most stylish lady swimmer are hard to overlook. The Otago lady did not begin the season as w r ell as was expected, and took some time to regain her form of the previous season. She was taken in hand some time before the Otago championships by Mr N. H. Bailey, who devoted considerable’ time and effort towards bringing her stroke back to normal, and he is deserving of a good deal of praise for the success that ultimately came Aliss Miller’s way. The Otago championships found her just striking form, though her times were below her best. She won the 220yds in 3min 1 2-ssec, and deadheated with Miss AI. Jepson in tho 100yds in Tlsec. The addition of a few , week’s Train-

ing made all the difference to Miss Miller’s form, and tho New Zeasand championships found her swimming brilliantly, and better than ever before. She was successful in retaining her 220yds and 440yds ladies’ titles, her times being 2min olseo and 4min 9 2-osec respectively. Both were New Zealand fresh-water records, though outside of Miss Gwitha Shand’s Now Zealand’s best of 2min 48sec and Cniin Bsec respectively, both of which wiri set in salt water and not in a national title event. Miss Miller secured easy victories over her favourite distances, and'.startled the New Zealand swimming world by showing,. Mic;pejled dash over 100yds, being runner-up to Miss Ena Stoukley in the litle evert, and returning 68 4-ssec, which was the best effort of her career over the sprint distance. That Miss Miller’s form in this race was not a flash in The pan was shown during her Australian tour, as she finished second Ur Miss Ena Stockley in the Australian 100yds ladies’ title. Her swimming over this distance was notable for her great spurt towards the close of tho race, which lends power to the suggestion that over 100 metres she may even prove superior to Miss Stockley. Though Miss Miller was unsuccessful in lowering Miss Shaud’s New Zealand salt-water records for 220yds and 440yds she actually bettered _ bliss Shand’s time for the latter distance when she won the New South Wales title in 6min 3 9-10 sec in a 110yds length baths. Miss Miller captured both 220yds and 440yds Australian titles, and her performances on this tour fully justified her selection in the Now Zealand team to compete at the Olympic Games. A long and strenuous season she brought to a close at Christchurch last Saturday when she set a new fresh-water record for 830yds ol 13min 54 3-ssec, which was considerably better than Miss V. Walrcmd’s salt-water mark of 14min 28 2-osoc, though not as fast as the time Miss Miller returned at New Plymouth when her record could not be recognised owing to the course being 4ft Tin short. Miss Miller has shown consistently brilliant form throughout the season, and if she strikes top form should be well to the fore in the 400 metres championship at the Olympic Gaines Fresh water suits her, and she has improved so much on the turns that the 50 metres bath at Amsterdam should bo to her liking. Ere another season begins Miss Miller should return from hey quest _ with world honors. At any rate, win or lose, Miss Miller will worthily uphold the sporting traditions of her country, and should she be defeated it will certainly not bo for the lack of determination or grit. MISS JEPSON. Miss M. Jepson, who has been Miss Miller’s opponent in many a hardfought tussle, began the season well, but after the Otago championships, in which she dead-healed with Miss Miller over 100yds, she went off .performing disappointingly at the New Zealand championships, in which her best were thirds in both 100yds and 220yds ladies’ championships. She did not reproduce her previous season’s fine swimming, and until she finds-a better arm stroke will not be able to compete successfully with the improving ladies that are contesting at national meetings. Since the New Zealand championships Miss Jepson' has not boon seen in action, but it is to he hoped that so fine a swimmer has not oone into permanent retirement. ° In Miss Miller and JMiss Jepson Otago possesses two of New Zealand’s outstanding lady swimmers, but outside of this pair there were none ui championship class. Still, some promising girls were seen in action .towards the end of the season, one of the best of them being Miss M. Morgan, who Avon the Kiwi Club’s championship in the absence of Miss Miller. With coaching Miss Morgan should slioav considerable improvement, and next season good things are looked for from hel ’ INTERMEDIATE GIRLS.

Among the intermediate girls there 'wer <y' none of championship class, Otago’s best being a good deal below the northern champions. Miss M. Fleming showed consistent form throughout the season and her Otago titles were well won. »he is a neat little swimmer, and with the cultivation of a little more dash would ho capable of faster times than she has yet recorded. Miss P. Lang stepped up from junior ranks, performing cieditably. She is developing a powerful stroke, and , when she periects her leg action she will have to be reckoned with in this division. She swam well on occasions during the season, hut is a rather inconsistent performer. PROMISING JUNIORS.

Though no New Zealand junior girls’ titles came to Otago* there is every reason to bo satisiicd with the rorni sllown by a number of the youngsters at the various carnivals. Mi.ss D. Murdoch showed great promise at the Otago championships, but against the northern stars she did not shine so brightly, and has not been engaged actively since Rho is the possessor of a good stroke and should do well if she concentrates on training next season, Miss C. Lang may be lacking in size, hut she'lias a great little heart, and swam some fine races during the season. She is an essentially correct and stylish little swimmer, and when she grows a little should keep them all busy. Miss P. Taylor, a Kiwi clubmato of Miss Lang’s, did not maintain her early sea son form, but she is one of whom the writer expects to hear in the future. Undoubtely the'most improved swimmer in the junior girls’ division is Miss M. Mathieson, a daughter of the baths custodian. She came into prominence first as a breast-stroke exponent, and finished third in the New Zealand junior girls’ championship at this style or swimming. Following the national mooting, however, she began to turn her attention to the free style, with the result that at the end of the season she may be looked upon as one of the best juniors in Otago, and one from whom much may bo expected in the future if she is developed along her present lines. She has a useful stroke and plenty of dash, her most recent successes being at the Olympic carnival, when she won the 66 2-3yds ladies’ handicap in 51 1-osec, and covered 33 l-3yds in 21 3-osec. SENIOR SWIMMERS.

Like most of the other centres, Otago suffered from a lack of men up to national championship class, but it must be said that C. J. M'Lean in the longer distances proved himself to be a swimmer well above the ordinary at the New Zealand championships. The St. Clair man has effected an improvement in his stroke and displayed more dash than hitherto, filling third place in the 880yds ‘national championship, and also in the mile, in-which he bettered the standard. M'Lean swam well, hi.s times being well up to championship standard. though he was unable to threaten the supremacy of either Lindsay or Stokes. He is better suited to the longer distances, and would be well advised in future to concentrate on them. For ihe first time for cjuite a while M‘Leau failed to make a clean sweep

of the Otago men’s championship, the 100yds falling to N. H. Bailed, who had not done much training up to that period. He competed unsuccessfully in the 100yds national championship, but registered his fastest time for the season at the meeting in winning an interclub event in 64 3-ssec. Bailey trained hard for the Batt Cup harbor race, and revealed unexpected ability as a longdistance swimmer, registering fastest time. He is undoubtedly one of the best free-style swimmers that has represented Otago of late years, and if he buckles down to training early next season there is no reason at all why ho should not cut several seconds off his best time for 100yds. Outside of Bailey and M'Lean Boyd was one of the 'best of the senior swimmers, though he is not in championship class. He is a good all-round performer —free style, back-stroke, diving, and water polo—but does not specialise sufficiently. Ho represented Otago in the New Zealand 150yds back-stroke championship, but did not gain a place. Were lie to devote more time to this style of swimming Boyd would certainly be capable of bettering _ his present times, and he is also a diver of much more than average ability. It was"a great pity that 0. B. Lewis did not take the sport seriously during the season just ended, for had he been in form he would have been well in the running at the New Zealand championships. Coming out towards the end of the season, Lewis showed that he is still a fine breast-stroke swimmer, who, it is hoped, will be seen in serious competitive swimming next season.

Breast-stroke events were popular, and outside of Lewis there were several swimmers very well matched, though the Otago title went to H. Clark, a consistent swimmer, who filled third place in the New Zealand title event. L. Pithie and 11. Affleck were another promising pair.

INTERMEDIATES LACKING. Otago was n6t strong in the intermediate boys’ division, though T. Harland qualified for the final of two events at the New Zealand meet. Ha inland is a promising, if not brilliant, swimmer, and he improved last season. Unfortunately, however, he does not enjoy the best of health, and it was this which prevented him froi> competing at the Otago championships, where the intermediate titles were won by 0. Holland, a likely youngster, who has since removed to Auckland. Outside of this pair, none of the intermediate boys were up to even provincial standard. A JUNIOR CHAMPION. The junior boys’ brigade did not number ' another phenomenal Leslie Olds in its ranks, but one from whom ■big things are expected is young Reg. Gcddes, one of the gamest little swimmers that ever swam in Dunedin. Making a clean sweep of the junior titles at the Otago championships, he added to his laurels by winning the New Zealand 75yds junior boys’ championship, and is also the champion junior of the Kiwi Club. Geddes has another two years in the junior division, and next season he should go very close to breaking the New Zealand junior breastroke record, as well as performing creditably in.thofreo style events. Geddes swims a strong breaststroke and has improved on the crawl, though he is still inclined to reduce his arm stroke when nearing the finish of a race. Geddes has been trained by Mr A. Greig, to whom a good deal of the lad’s success is due. C. Goughian revealed good form in the earlier part of the season, and two other juniors who should be heard of in the future are W. Jarvis and S. Jarvis. The latter is barely nine years, of age, but competed in junior title events at the Otago championship, displaying rare pluck. When ho grows stronger lie should be a useful swimmer, for the foundations have been laid well. THE DIVERS. Probably in no branch of the sport did Otago show such all-round supremacy as in diving, two New Zealand titles coining to Otago, while the positions of runner-up in both men’s and ladies’ championships were tilled by representatives of the home province. For the third time in succession Roy Colder won the New Zealand men’s diving title, and by his exhibitions throughout the season Calder has proved himself to be in a class of his own. He is still comparatively young, and may be expected to show still further improvement, especially with his yoluntaries, of which already he has a good selection. H. E. Walker was runner-up to Calder in the New Zealand championship, the ex-champion performing consistently, despite the I act that he bad bad much less training than Calder. The intermediate title, came to Otago through A. llix, but the standard in this division was not a high one. Still. Rix showed marked improvement, and by bis association with Calder and Walker will do still better. The retirement of Miss M. Morrison left a gap among the lady divers, but Miss D. Foote came on remarkably and showed splendid form at the Now Zealand championships, being runnerup to Miss L. Hood in the ladies’ fevent. She is a youthful performer, and is such a neat little diver that honors should yet come her way. Miss Eggers was another contender for honors, but she was not in the same class as Miss Foote. Outside of the championship performers there are a number of good divers in Dunedin, and the future of this branch of the sport is indeed bright. WATER, POLO. Water polo was played seriously for the first time for years, and Otago’s •showing at the New Zealand championships was very satisfactory, considering that the representative team was composed of almost wholly untried players. C. R. Lewis, W. Boyd, and A. Harrod were the backbone of what next season should be moulded into a strong combination, especially as the institution of an interclub championship lent added interest to the game. In the St. Clair and Kiwi Clubs are several players who will be fighting hard next season for a, place in the Otago team, and this increasing competition should mean a higher standard of play. The great improvement that was effected in the standard was due in a largo measure to the untiring efforts of the official coach, Mr H. V. Jerred. to whom great credit is due. Should Otago ultimately carry off honors at the game no one will be more responsible for the attainment of this object than the ex-Canterbury crack. The throwing of the players lias iniproved, but more accuracy is still needed, and players must train themselves to maintain a fast pace throughout. It was in this direction that northern teams were superior to Otago during the recent season, which perhaps was only to be expected, considering the short time the Otago team had been training. A word of praise is. due to the controlling body, the Otago Centre, for its activity, especially for a long time prior to the national championships, and in this connection no one is more deserv-

ing of praise than the president (Mr J. L. M'lndoe). SPLASHES. At the time of writing no advice has been received as to whether a chaperone is to accompany the lady members of the New Zealand team to the Olympic Games, and, should an appointment not be made, Mrs Miller has informed the writer that Miss Kathleen Miller will not be permitted to make the trip. Mrs Miller is prepared to pay £IOO towards her expenses should she be appointed, and this seems a generous offer. With three ladies in the team, a chaperone should have been appointed at the outset, and it will indeed liq a great pity if, through the Olympic ‘ Association’s inability to select a lady to accompany the team one of the dominion’s greatest swimmers should be unable to compete at the Olympic Games. No country in the world has produced such an astonishing swimmer as Frank Beaurepaire, who at the Kow Baths (Melbourne), on Saturday, won the Victorian mile He is thirty-six years old (says the Sporting Globe’). It is'twenty-three years since Beaurepaire won his swimming spurs by being successful in a big race. Since then he has annexed many championships, has represented Australia at tho Olympic Games, and has competed in practically every country in the world where tho natatorial sport i£ popular. In the mile relay he defeated J. Wilson, bolder of the title. Beaurepaire has won tho 440, 880, and mile championships of Victoria this season, and I have no doubt that he would have extended the Australian title holders. The course was approximately 50yds longer than-,a mile on Saturday. The time was 25rain 32sec. In 1922 Beaurepaire made an Australian record by swimming the mile in 23min 49 2-ssec. Young Noel Byan, the sixteen-year-old Manly swimmer, won the Australian title this year in 23min 18 l-ssec. This is the record time for an Australian born swimmer, hut Arne Borg hns surpassed that time in Sydney. The Wellington Amateur Athletic Club is fa rewelling the New Zealand Olympic team at a joy night in the Town Hall on April 26, Miss Kathleen Miller having received an invitation to he present at the function. Miss Miller is to be farewelled by the Kiwi Club at a social and dance in the Embassy Salon next Thursday night. Tins week tho swimming notes for the season are brought to a close, though any events of interest during the off season will bo chronicled in the ‘Sports Special.’ Tho writer wishes to thank all who have contributed items to the column, and expresses the hope that next season will he even more successful than the one just closed.