Swimming
2010 — 2015
2009 / 2010
Captain: James Kelly
2008 / 2009
Captain: Tom Hussey
Unfortunately, it was not possible to find sufficient Queen’s swimmers to enter a team into either Swimming or Water-polo Cuppers this year.
2007 / 2008
Captain: Tom Hussey
2006 / 2007
Captain: Richard Earnshaw
SWIMMING AND WATER POLO REPORT
Officers: Captains Richard Earnshaw and Kate Cokayne-Naylor
The Queen’s swimming team performed valiantly (as ever) in Cuppers in Trinity Term, but struggled against teams comprising two or three colleges and those with university-level swimmers. However, the men’s team did particularly well, finishing second in the male rankings, with excellent swims from Tom Hussey (50m back crawl), Richard Earnshaw (50m breaststroke), Dan Wood (100m IM and 50m front crawl), and University Blues swimmer Lenny Lee (50m fly). The Ladies had a tougher experience, despite some impressive times, and Queen’s finished seventh overall.
Water polo Cuppers was also enjoyed by all, and was a great opportunity to try a sport new to many Queen’s members. The team was hardly experienced, with only a few members having already played, and some took part without even a practice beforehand. However, despite losing the first two group matches, the team defeated St Hugh’s in the last game if the competition, with goals scored by Daniel Shepherd, Richard Earnshaw and Ceri Williams.
2005 / 2006
Captain: Ceri Williams
Unfortunately, the overall result of finishing in fifth place in Cuppers did not reflect the talent at Queen’s this year. Despite a fantastic performance by every member of the team, including Lennard Lee who finished first in the 100m individual medley and Richard Earnshaw who finished second in the 50m breaststroke, the College was unable to compete on the scoreboard against teams comprised of two or three colleges combined.
At university level Queen’s was represented by Lennard Lee, who broke a University record as part of the 4x100m freestyle relay. For this he was awarded a full blue, and he was also elected Men’s Captain for the Blues next year.
Queen’s put up a valiant effort in the water polo Cuppers for the first time in many years. As only two members of the team had ever played before, it was not surprising that the team did not advance beyond the group stages of the competition. However, the experience was invaluable and hopes are high for next year.
2004 / 2005
Captain: Daniel Wood
2003 / 2004
Captain: Christopher Baker
Chris says…
This year proved to be quite busy for Queen’s College swimming, with two Cuppers events taking place. The first was held in Michaelmas Term in the newly opened University Rosenblatt Swimming Complex. Reduced to only one swimmer per event in an attempt to stop Queen’s strength through numbers, the team watched as the starting blocks and automatic timing pads were literally unwrapped for their first ever use. Against teams who had even doubled up with another college, Queen’s ability shone through, particularly in the relays, finishing fifth in the women’s event, first in the men’s, and first overall, thereby retaining the swimming cup. To make up for the Cuppers missed in 2002, a second event was held in Trinity Term. As usual it was organised at the last minute by the University Swimming Club. With various other commitments, injuries and no university swimmers, Queen’s still demonstrated their resilience winning the men’s event and narrowly losing overall to a Keble/New College team including six Blues.
2002 / 2003
Captain Christopher Baker
Very little happened this year in Queen’s swimming. The College was not represented at university level as many were involved in other sports and exams. With the new university swimming pool due to be completed by the beginning of next academic year, interest is sure to rise, especially as the Cardo Building is literally on its doorstep. Because of poor organisation by OUSC, no swimming cuppers event was arranged; therefore Queen’s are still the holders. On a positive note, many freshers signed up as being interested in swimming for the College. Hopefully, when the time comes to defend the Cuppers crown, we will be more than ready to do so.
2001 / 2002
Captain Christopher Baker
It is a pleasure to report upon the College’s first victory in cuppers for some time. In recent years it has become a Queen’s tradition to try to get a team together for cuppers and then to avoid the wooden spoon. Much the same procedure was employed this year, albeit with different results. An eleven strong team produced some outstanding performances, notably by Pete Baker and Phil Jordan who won the 50m breaststroke and 50m backstroke respectively, to finish first in the men’s competition, second in the women’s competition, and first overall. The team spirit was also by far the best on display at the event. Phil Jordan remains the only Blues swimmer in Queen’s, but, because of injury, he was unable to swim against Cambridge. The College was, however, represented at university level by Chris Baker.
Ill fortune again beset the College in cuppers. Queen’s B were given a tough first round match against New College A, and, despite a valiant effort, were unable to progress in the competition. Queen’s A met another difficult side in Jesus, and, although the match ended in a draw, the count-back rule resulted in its elimination by a mere five points. However, the promising standard of many of the performances gives cause for optimism for next year.
Throughout the year, practices were very well attended by players of all abilities, suggesting that the high standard of badminton within Queen’s will continue.