Singapore Poly win IVP Swimming Championship

Story by Leslie Tan. Pictures by Lai Jun Wei. © Red Sports

The National University of Singapore Swimming squad that came in second overall. (Photo © Lai Jun Wei)

Toa Payoh Swimming Complex, January 12, 2008 – Singapore Polytechnic won the Institute-Varsity-Polytechnic (IVP) Swimming Championships when they outpointed the defending champions, National University of Singapore (NUS). NUS were the overall champions in ’05, ’06 and ’07.

Four new records were established at the championships with Leonard Tan of the Singapore Management University (SMU) accounting for two of them. Leonard set new marks in the 50m (30.13) and 100m (1:06.92) breastroke while Singapore Polytechnic set a new record of 1:52.34 in the men’s 200m medley relay. SMU also got on the record books when they set a new 200m freestyle relay record of 1:40.39.

“This year, we are facing tougher competition,” said 23-year-old Craig Chow, captain of the NUS swim team at the start of the championships. “The Poly swimmers are 18-19 years old and the younger swimmers are fast and they train more. The average age of our swimmers are 22 for guys and 19-20 for the girls.” Craig went on to compete in the 200m individual medley and finished out of the medals with a time of 2:41.89.

The Republic Polytechnic team were also competing in their first IVP Swimming Championships. The core of the swim team also competes in lifesaving and water polo and they decided to take part in IVP swimming for the experience. “We train all year round for lifesaving and so it’s good to combine swimming and lifesaving,” said Ms Lam Su Ci who manages the lifesaving squad at Republic Polytechnic.

Team results:-
Men
1st Singapore Polytechnic 172 points
2nd Singapore Management Universtiy 115 points
3rd National University of Singapore 87 points

Women
1st National University of Singapore 151points
2nd Ngee Ann Polytechnic 88 points
3rd Singapore Management University 86 points

Overall Championship for the Year 2007/08
1st Singapore Polytechnic 250 points
2nd National University of Singapore 247 points
3rd Singapore Management University 214 points