Scotch College

10 out of 11 for swimmers

Scotch maintains its domination in the pool by winning the EM Davidson Trophy for the tenth time in eleven years.

The season again began with a swim camp at Bendigo, to build on the swimmers' and divers' fitness and skill base. This gave a perfect opportunity for the swimmers and divers to get to know each other through team games, and especially for those in the 20 person bunkroom!

Captained by Michael Nicolson, the team continued with the traditional home and away meets, with Scotch establishing a favourable place for the APS Championships at the end of March. Michael was helped this year by his two Vice Captains Richard Davies and David Pendelton, all of who provided the 'back bone' for the Open age group.

Excellent performances during these meets were swum by Sam Webb, Jaime Reyne, Leonard Kong, Robert Hunwick, and Richard Gosper. Ed Holmes had a couple of good swims, coming very close to breaking the long standing Open 100 Breaststroke held by Guy Farrow (1984).

The Championships began well with Scotch's first set of relays clocking up the points ahead of Caulfield and Haileybury, providing an indication that any one of the schools could win.

The first relay section provided a marvellous opportunity for the first time swimmers to 'flex their muscles'. The persistence of Francis Connon, Michael Care, Joe Jittivuthikarn, Douglas Hamilton, Xavier Carrol, and Anthony Wilcox was vital.

The Under 17 age group was simply stunning as they pounded the pool. Jaime Reyne again provided a sensational anchor in a number of relays, putting Scotch's relays into a position to snatch a few more points.

By this time, the diving results had made its way up to Scotch's 'Tally Seats' with some unbelievable results. The Captain of Diving, Adam Orchard, reported excellent diving from Matt Turner, Michael Roy, and Gavin Drum. However David Cheetham, Chris Pilkington, Matt Szakiel, and Andrew Fowers pushed their limits of performance to propel Scotch further ahead.

The individual events followed where, with the help of swimmers like Reyne, Kong, Gosper, Hunwick, and Andrew Birch, Scotch maintained its lead.

In the final set of relays the Team work really paid off. The Scotch cheer squad became louder in its support for our swimmers. Ed Wilson was 'firing' to seize a few placings by consistently swimming 25s for the last two Open relay events. Likewise Andrew Birch and Sam Webb.

Scotch had the lead and held it throughout the night. A special mention for Rob Commons and Peter Gaunt for their dedication to the Team, demonstrated by a tense hard fought series of 'swim offs'. The night finished with the traditional Team swim (clothed or not) by all members of the Swimming and Diving Team, demonstrating the affinity of the non selected swimmers with those who were selected. And yes the coach was 'chucked in' for good measure.

We also win All Schools

The final swimming competition for the season was the Victorian All Schools Relay Championship. The 13 and under team were clothed in cardinal, gold, and blue bathers, that are only worn by senior swimmers. The seniors welcomed Chris Colman, William England, Ben Kaye, Andrew McCahey, Nick Oughtred, Tom Pendleton, and Joshua Tee. Tom Iansek, a senior swimmer, backed these swimmers up with his excellent times from the home and away competitions. Scotch qualified for every final, recording three firsts, of which all were school records, four seconds, three thirds, and two fourths.

The 15 and under relays recorded all the school records, with Leonard Kong, Jaime Reyne, Richard Gosper, Rob Hunwick, Matthew Targett, and Andrew Birch. Richard Gosper, who was rested during the heats to help him recover from the flu, stormed the stage, swimming faster as the competition progressed and broke his Scotch personal best times, and helping with three school records. One broke the All Schools record in the 15 and Under 4x50 Medley Relay. Rob Hunwick scored a 29.30 seconds for his backstroke, Leonard Kong 32.91 seconds for his Breaststroke, Richard Gosper 27.00 seconds for his Butterfly, and Jaime Reyne 25.40 seconds for his Freestyle. The record time was 1:55.02.

The performances of the Team would not be complete without the mention of Ed Wilson's Freestyle swims of 25.01 seconds and 25.04 seconds. Tim Linley swam extremely well during the season cutting his personal best times to 33.56 seconds for a 50 metre Breaststroke swim. Others included Richard Davies 50 Butterfly time breaking the 29 second barrier, the consistent Sam Webb, and the breaking of the 40 second barrier for 50 metres Breaststroke by our 'young guns' Andrew McCahey and Ben Kaye.

The All Schools Relay Championship was again carried home by Scotch College ending with the traditional Team Swim. And yes, Mr Appel (TIC) was finally thrown into the pool.

The Swimming and Diving Team was again managed by TIC Mr Appel, and Head Coach Mr Rick Berry ('79), Consultant Mr Ian Pope, Diving Mr Marty Galea. Team Coaches Mr Holding, Rev Buchanan, and Mrs Lacey. Also to the Junior Secondary Swimming Team administrators Ms Rowland and Ms Elliott. Finally to Mr Nathan Pratt ('97).