Page 107 - 1965

The M.B. swimming team, continually improving through the years, can
boast their finest season since Mr. Smyth became coach. With nine members
of last year’s varsity squad returning, the mermen had a sound base on which
to build. The newcomers had some great surprises in store for Coach Smyth.
Starting the season with three days of practice and a flu epidemic, the M.B.
aquanauts bowed to East Providence. But the team didn’t like to lose; the next
four opponents fell to a watery grave. The closing of the season see-saws
between victory and defeat. St. George’s, Cranston West and LaSalle won by
narrow margins, but Tolman and Pawtucket West were not quite strong enough
to win.
Surprises and records marked the season. Capt. Eric Schreuder, satisfied with
his 200 and 400 yd. freestyle records, turned to the shorter races and set a new
record in the 60 yd. freestyle. Another freestyler, Bob Christensen, came
within .4 of a second of breaking the 40 yd. record. Bill McElroy, a newcomer
from Cranston East, broke the old Backstroke record which had stood since
1938. The bigger triumph for the mermen was the victory over Tolman High
School, the first time since before WW II. In diving, Dave Lloyd, a freshman
in his first year of serious diving, took consistent seconds on the board. Other

freshmen—Collins, Parks and Bonte—contributed many valuable
points.
Congratulations should also be given to John Spencer for his con­
sistent scoring in the long freestyle events; to Paul Kervick for his
backstroke and individual medley swimming; and to Harris Gorab for
his victories in the breaststroke. Mr. Smyth had the enjoyable position
of being able to put any combination of freestylers in his relays and
sprints, selecting from Christensen, Spencer, Schreuder, Bush, Jenks,
Emerson, Parks and Collins. The loss of last year’s backstrokers and
butterfliers was a critical problem until Demetre, Whitford, Sanford
and Bonte showed their abilities.
Mr. Smyth should be proud of the fine accomplishment of his team.
He can look forward to another good season next year, for there will
be many returning lettermen.