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Salient. An organ of student opinion at Victoria College Wellington, N.Z. Vol. 2, No. 5 April 19, 1939
Swimming
Swimming
No Points, But Good Promise.
Victoria scored no points in the tournament swimming contest, but the actual results are misleading. The general standard of swimming was very much higher than last year, and there are excellent prospects for three titles next year. Indeed it was only due to a very strict interpretation of the rules as to breaststroke that prevented Victoria University College from gaining a title and three points this year.
All members of the team qualified for the finals of their respective events, except Mishart (Massey) in the 100 yards. Taylor was not placed in either the 100 or the 440 race, being faced with very stiff opposition in swimmers like Neville and Buchanan, but was not far behind the leaders. Misses Malcolm and Spiers, who each came third in their respective heats in the women's 100, swam well in the final. Miss Spiers just failing to gain third place.
Wishart was a good third in the 220, in which O'Flynn also swam, but not as well as usual, being several yards behind Wishart. Bob Hall was third in the 100 backstroke event, doing about 76 seconds, and probably equalling the former New Zealand University record, which was this year broken by C. Foot (Otago University).
The Disqualifications.
Sylvia Hefford finished a touch ahead of the present 100 yards women's breaststroke champion. Miss Eastgate, after swimming a fine race, and doing the distance in about 95 seconds. Ron Meek finished second in the 220 breaststroke event, which was won by J. C. W. Davies (Otago University), who equaled the New Zealand record. Unfortunately, both our swimmers were disqualified by the judge for not swimming the correct breaststroke, as was every other competitor, except Davies (Otago University) and Miss Eastgate (Otago University) in each race! Meek, it is true, was disqualified at Auckland last year, though the particular fault for which he was then disqualified was not in evidence this year: but Sylvia's breaststroke has been always held up in Wellington as a model of correctness, and it is very unfortunate that, after just falling to beat Miss Eastgate in the last two tournaments, she should be disqualified upon doing so. There were three breaststroke races on the programme, and, out of a total of ten competitors, all except Davies and Miss Eastgate were disqualified. The disqualifications included the New Zealand intermediate women's breaststroke champion. A protest was lodged against this excessively rigid interpretation of the rules, but was unsuccessful.
The water polo match, in which all the men in the team took part, was of a high standard, and resulted in a draw.
We feel we should mention the splendid way in which the contest was run, and the unfailing courtesy and consideration of the Otago officials.