AMERICAN ATHLETES.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XLVI, Issue 10672, 17 February 1926, Page 5

AMERICAN ATHLETES.

SPORTS ON THE DOMAIN.

VERY LARGE ATTENDANCE. TRACK IN GOOD ORDER. Not since the visit to Ashburton of the famous Springbok team of athletes on January 25, 1922, has such a crowd assembled at the Domain Oval for an athletic meeting as has gathered there to-day to witness the sports at which, the American champions, Jackson V. Scholz and Lloyd Hahn, are competing.

The beautiful day and the fact that a half-holiday is being observed in the town no doubt tempted many to attend, but the ■ principal attraction undoubtedly is the opportunity of witnessing these two champions in action, conceding big starts to the best local amateurs. Another attraction is the entry of C. H. Jennings (or Wellington), the leading sprinter in New Zealand to-day, and his performances , against Scholz are being watched with great interest. The entries in all events are very good, including the best amateur performers in Canterbury, and even without the inclusion of the Americans the racjng would have been very interesting. From one o'clock people began to assemble in the Domain, and when the programme started sharp at two o'clock the stand and enclosures were crowded, while the outside of the cycling track was also • lined with spectators. The grass track is in excellent order, being very fast and showing signs of careful preparation, and many of the performers commented favourably upon this. It. is safe to say that it is without equal in Canterbury in its present state.

The following is the list of officers for the sports:—Referee: Mr C. S. McCully (Christchurch. Marshall: Mr T. J. Hunter. Judges: Running and cycling events, Messrs E. F. Nicoll, W. C. Flewellym, A. A. McDonald, and Dir. Fisher; field events, Messrs F. W. Seldon, A. K. North. Stewards: Messrs L. J. Fechney, A. N. Grigg, and E. M. Gabites. Marksmen: Messrs R, C. McGregor and E. R. Easter brook. Lap steward: Mr W. B. Thomas. Press steward: Mr 'S. Christie, Number steward: Mr J. B. Meeking. Dressing room steward: Mr J. Mcßae. Result board stewards: Messrs M. Bruce and L. O. Dunn. Starter:. Mr W. B. Thomas. Timekeepers: Messrs F. B. Robilliard, E. Vincent, F. P. Cookson, and O. H. Tavlor, senior. Megaphone: Mr J. J. Lewis. Handicapper: Running. Mr T. M. Clark; cycling, Mr W. B. Thomas. St. John Ambulance: Mr W Osman. Protest committee: Messrs C. S. McCully, W. B. Thomas, and W. R. Featherston. Hon secretary: Mr W R. Featherston. A fairlv strong easterly wind was blowing across the ground, but did not affect any events, with the exception of the distance races. J V. Scholz did not run m his heat of the 100 or 220 yards,' running onJy

in the finals. • The H. F- Nicoll Challenge Cup, which was won bv the Ashburton. team, was presented to M. Farrell (captain) bv Mi- C. S. MeCully (President of tb» Canterbury Centre). In addition, silver mounted batons were presented to the members of the team. During the afternoon, G. Uewson, the crack amateur cyclist, in a one mile unpaced sprint, lowered his own Canterbury record of 2min. 20 4-osecs to 2min. 16 4 ssecs. He finished well, and did not appear distressed. Ine nrst half mile was very fast, but he slackened in the third round, to finish with a Kood sprint over the last 100 yards The results up to the time the "Guardian" went to press were:

One Mile and a-half Cycle Handicap. First heat: H. Watson (200yds) 1, A. A. Craighead (150yds) 2, W. Parkes (180yds) 3. Also started: G. Hewson scr), R. H. Wood (40yds W Brown 105yds), and H. Cavill (200yds). Time. 3min 21sec. Second heat: A. Mangin (115yds) 1, Waghorn (170vds) 2, W. Jordan (190yds) 3. Also started: R. Boswell (160yds). Time, 3min 26sec. Final. Mangin \ Waghorn. •■• * Jordan ... ••• •", i t t Won by a wheel, a length and a halt between 'second and third. Time, 3nun 28sec. 75 Yards Handicap.—First heat: F. David (3yds) 1, J. H. Russell (/yds) 2, M. Farrell (6yds) 3. Also started: M. Dudley (61yds). Time, Bsec Second heat: J. V Scholz, U.S.A. (scr) 1, J. Smither (7yds) 2, K. Johnstone (syds) 3. Also started: J- A. Gasson (6yds) J. Belshaw (7yds), R. Buxton (Tiyds). Won easily by two yards. Time, Bsec. Third heat: J. Brownlee (3y'ds) 1/& H. Jenkms (ljyds) 2, C. M. Clark (6|yds 3. Also started: C. Stevenson (7yds) and J. Mora (7|yds). Time, Bsec.

Final. Scholz I Brownlee ... ••• ••• ~ Jenkins .. ° The held left to a beautiful start, and Scholz was behind an even field till ten yards from home where he sprinted,' winning by two feet, lime, 7 3-ssec. One Mile Medley Relay Race (H. F. Nicoll Challenge Cup)—Ashburton (E. MeEachen 880yds, Johnstone 440, M. Farrell 220, and F. David 220) 1; Timaru A. (L. Murray, J. Smithevs, E. Lee, Henderson,) 2; Timaru B. 6. MeEachen, the first runner for Ashburton, came home by three yards, Johnstone increasing this distance to 1? yards. Farrell, also running well, finished oU yards in advance of Timaru, and David, the last runner, went on to win by 60 viards. Time, 3min. 49 2-ssecs.

Ladies' 75 Yards Handicap.—Miss M Gudsell (3yds) 1, Miss J. Hocking (2vds) 2, Miss B. Milliehamp (7yd) 3. Won by a yard, with half a yard between second and third. Time, 9 3-o sec. Six starters.

One Mile Handicap.—L. Hahn. U.S.A. (scr) 1. F. Simpson (100yds) 2. Also started: L. R. Murray (SOyds*. E. MeEachen (85yds), R. G. Summers (95yds). B. Lane (120yds). The placed men wore the coiiy ones to finish. Halm caught the field at the end of the third lap, Simpson being about five yards ahead, with MeEachen about 2o yards further back. In the fourth lap," the fastest of the race, Hahn

went out and le6" by about 20 yarck, which ho increased to 40 when tho post was reached. Time. 4miu 2G S «:. The first half-mile was run in Jnv.n 9acc.