University of Virginia Library

Player Of Week

First-Year Tanker Sets Record

By Ted McKean
Cavalier Daily Staff Writer

On the merit of his record-breaking
performance in the Virginia-Wake
Forest swimming meet
of last week. John Shrum deserves
the nod as this week's "Player
of the Week."

The 6′ 1″ 155 lb. tanker smashed
the school record for the 1000
yard freestyle event, which fourth-year
Tim Coleman set last year.
Shrum lowered Coleman's time of
12:59.1 by an incredible 32 seconds
to 12:27.1 in winning his event.

According to Coach Ralph Law,
John whipped one of Wake's finest
swimmers on the way to his win.
In the 1000 yard race. Coach Law
explains, Shrum must average a
little over 1:15 to put his time in
the mid-twelve minute bracket. In
nosing out his Deacon opponent,
Shrum went an amazing 1:10 for
his final 100.

The coach further explained that
he had hopes that John would
break the record, but to do so
by 32 seconds at such an early
point in the season certainly exceeded
all expectations.

John is a native of Charlottesville,
and a graduate of Lane
High School, from whom Virginia
has received many fine athletes.
He currently is in his first year
at the University; thus the record
may be lowered again in the future.

Coach Law, who worked with
Shrum for four years while he was
at Lane, reflected, "John's win in
the Wake Forest meet was a most
decisive factor in the team's victory.
His third place finish in
the 500 also helped us considerably.
To break any record by 32 seconds
is unquestionably outstanding."