Scotch College

Old Boys win medals at World Championships

Matt Welsh ('94) and Dean Pullar ('90) joined the ranks of outstanding Old Boy sportsmen, with their medal winning performances at the recent World Swimming Championships held in Perth.

Matt wins gold

There is Matt Welsh at the World Swimming on top of the podium with a gold medal hanging around his neck, while in Swan Hill, the Scotch swimming and diving team has just witnessed one of their own become a world champion, as a member of the 4 X 100 metre medley relay team. The room was full of boys and staff jumping up and cheering for Matt as he became Australia's best backstroker.

Australian record

Earlier in the programme Matt had risen up the world rankings from 20th position, to become the world's sixth fastest backstroker. In the process he broke the Australian 100 metre backstroke record in a sizzling time of 55.45 seconds.

With a world class time Matt placed the golden glint on the medley relay, to strongly support his team mates Michael Klim (ex Wesley), Chris Fydler, and Phil Rogers. Matt swam a strong backstroke leg, thereby spearheading his team to a commanding position for the remainder to break away to win gold.

Such a swim has put a lot of smiles on a lot of faces, especially those associated with the Scotch swimming and diving team. Even Australia's head swimming coach, Don Talbot, had a smile after Matt's performance, as he had found a world class backstroker, which had been missing for some time on the Australian team.

Matt has a busy schedule to concentrate on, with Sydney 2000 only 2 years away. Commonwealth Games, World Short Course Cup, and the Pan Pacifics all lead to Sydney.

His partnership with his coach Ian Pope will assist him to swim 2 seconds faster before Sydney 2000 Olympics and hopefully a medal. From a swimmer at Scotch, Matt is an inspiration to the whole school community, demonstrating a focus and a determination on what is possible, and achieving it.

Sensational bronze to Dean

Dean's bronze medal in the 3 metre synchronised diving followed his fifth placing in the one metre springboard event. Paired with Shannon Roy, Dean came up with a superb 2.5 somersault with their last dive to win the bronze medal. They were only eight points behind the gold medal Chinese duo.

After leaving Scotch Dean has attended Griffith University, where he is currently completing a marketing degree. He is holding a diving scholarship to the Australian Institute of Sport, and an associate diving scholarship to the Victorian Institute of Sport.

Dean, son of Philip ('57) has had many sporting highlights in his career, including Captain of the Australian University team, which went to Sicily in 1997, where he won a bronze medal. He also won a silver medal at the FINA World Cup in Mexico.

Despite all these hectic activities, Dean still found time to go to the Old Boys dinner in Brisbane last August.