HIGH SCHOOL SWIMMING

Evening Star, Issue 22308, 7 April 1936, Page 5

HIGH SCHOOL SWIMMING

A. R. DUFF WINS SENIOR CUP JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIP TO D. FAIRLEY The annual swimming sports of the Otago Boys’ High School were held at the Municipal Baths yesterday, the fixture being a most successful one in every way. It was not to be expected, perhaps, that the times in the championship events would compare with the performances established in recent years by those outstanding swimmers W. J. Jarvis and S. W. Jarvis, but the most gratifying feature of the meeting was that the senior cup competition attracted nine swimmers and the junior championship contest six. The entries for the whole meeting totalled 450, which was the largest number for many years, and indicates the growing popularity of swimming in the school.

The school championship was won by A. 11. Duff, who totalled 14 points, W. W. Buckland being runner-up with 13, while 11. G. Cotton was third with 8. J. A. Kilpatrick and A. C., Kelly each collected 7 points, J. G. Held 3, D. F. M'Farlane, and L. G, Rutherford one each. . . Duff, who has met with a good deal of success in interclub swimming competition, is also a fine runner, and holds the Otago secondary schools’ 100yds track title. His best performance in the senior cup yesterday was in winning the 50yds in the good time of 29 l-6sec, but the times in the longer distance events were on the slow side. Duff won the 100yds in 71sec, and showed promising style _ and good judgment. He also tied with A. C. Kelly for first place in the plain diving event, in which both competitors gave good displays. Buckland, who is also well known in interclub competition, showed versatility, for, besides winning the 66 2-3yda breast stroke championship very easily in 57 l-ssec, he accounted for the 33 l-3yds back stroke championship, and gained second place in the 50yds free style event.

The 220yds championship was won by R. G. Cotton in the slow time of 3min lOsec, but it produced a fine finish between the winner and J. G. Reid, who led most of the way and was beaten on the touch. Although the- time was not fast, both _ swimmers shaped well considering their lack of experience over this distance. J. A. Kilpatrick was another consistent performer. The junior cup was won by D. G. Fairley after another keen competition, the winner registering 18 points, D. R. Leckie totalling 16 points for second place, and R. M. Morrison. 8 points for third. B. Ingram was next with 4, and N. J. Scott 3. The junior events were for boys under 15. Fairley, who is one of the most improved swimmers in Dunedin, swam with plenty of dash, winning the 33 l-3yds championship in 20 4-ssec, and the 66 2-3yds event in 47 3-ssec. He also accounted for the 33 l-3yds back stroke in 27 4-ssec, and was second in Hie 100yds, which was won by D. R. Leckie (the Otago junior champion) in 78 l-ssec. Leckie finished second to Fairley in the 33 l-3yds and 66 2-3yds races, and gave a neat display to win the junior dive, in which he defeated B. Ingram (holder of the New Zealand junior boys’ diving title), who also gave a good display, though he did not make so good an entry as Leckie. Morrison had a swim-over in the breast stroke event, but showed pleasing style and also took second > place in the back stroke in a close finish.

The handicap events brought some good swimmers to light, two of the most successful being J. E. Sissons and W. Si. Carr. Always a popular event with the boys, the plate dive produced one of the best performances for many years, E. S. Patrick, in three attempts, securing no fewer than 34 plates out of a possible of 36. A lengthy programme was put through in fine style, due to the efficient organisation of Messrs W. Lang (master in charge of swimming) and J. P. Xorthey (starter) and a capable band of officials. The meetipg was quite one of the best conducted of the season. Mr Northey’s starting was a pleasing feature, the fields being sent away to good starts in every case. Messrs F. H. Campbell, O. J. Degg, and 0. G. Cox were the swimming judges, and Messrs M. G. M'lnnes and J. P. Northey the diving judges. Messrs I. G. Garden and T. L. Bailey

Time, 29 l-ssec. Duff led out, closely followed by Buckland. Duff touched at the end of a lap a foot ahead of Buckland, and finished strongly to win by a yard, Kilpatrick half a yard back third. 100 YARDS, Record: 57 l-ssec, W. J. Jarvis, 1934. First Heat.—J. A. Kilpatrick 1. R. G. Cotton 2, J. G. Reid 3. Five starters. Time, 72 3-ssec. Won by 14yds each way. Second Heat.—A. R. Duff 1. W. W. Buckland 2, D. F. M'Farlane 3. Four starters. Time, 76sec. Duff had an easy swim and won by 4yds, M'Farlane a similar distance back third. —Final.— A. R. Duff , ... .... 1 R. G. Cotton and J. A. Kilpatrick (dead heat) 2 Time, 71sec. Duff established a lead in the first lap and swimming smoothly, he drew further away to win easily by 3yds. , 220 YARDS. Record: 2min 35 l-ssec, W. J. Jarvis, 1934. R. G. Cotton 1 J. G. Reid 2 J. A. Kilpatrick 6 Time, 3min lOsec. Six starters. Reid, Kilpatrick, and Duff were together over the first 100yds, but Duff retired with two to go, Reid then being out in front with Cotton making up leeway fast. Cotton challenged strongly, pushing off into the last 20yds, and in a good finish won by a touch from Reid, Kilpatrick syds back third. 33 1-3 YARDS BACK STROKE. Record: 20 2-ssec, W. J. Jarvis, 1934. W. W. Buckland 1 J. A. Kilpatrick 2 L. G. Rutherford ... 3 Four starters. Won by a yard ; 2yds between second and third. Time, 25sec. 66 2-3 YARDS BREAST STROKE. Record: 48 4-ssec, C. W. Elliott, 1933. W. W. Buckland 1 A. C. Kelly 2 D. F. M'Farlane 3 Only starters. Buckland- won comfortably by Syds after swimming a good race M'Farlane was 2yds back third. Time, 57 l-ssec.