By Josh Mangham
After victories earlier in the day for rowing and climbing, York’s swim team continued the university’s storming start to Varsity weekend with a resounding 67-43 win.
Taking place in the swimming pool of Archbishop Holgate school, York impressed throughout, with the men’s team particularly dominant. In four of the seven individual races York’s men’s team placed both 1st and 2nd, with Raymond Wade especially impressive for York.
In the two final 4×50 metre individual medley and freestyle relays, the men’s team emphasised this superiority with finishes almost a length quicker than St. John’s in both races. This was a case where the gap in quality between the two teams was as literally as it was figuratively evident.
In the women’s races the competition was more even. Although achieving 1st and 2nd place in both the 100 metre backstroke and 50 metre individual freestyle races, York’s women’s team were up against formidable opponents. The two final women’s relays, which York’s women’s swim team captain Felicity Hannon later referred to as “fantastic”, proved to be the most absorbing of the evening’s action. In two fiercely fought races York narrowly lost out however, finishing within just a second of St. John’s.
Men’s captain Andrew Nash praised York Uni’s swimmers for their contribution towards what he called a “big victory”, saying that it was “on the starts where the races were won” and that York’s previous experience of the pool was also a factor in the victory.
With wins in all three of Saturday’s sporting events, York University have already established themselves as strong contenders to retain this year’s Varsity trophy.