JUNIOR AND WOMEN’S ATHLETICS SHOULD BE OF HIGH STANDARD

Press, Volume XCIII, Issue 27896, 18 February 1956, Page 3

JUNIOR AND WOMEN’S ATHLETICS SHOULD BE OF HIGH STANDARD

r PHE trend of recent athletic meet- . ings suggests that the Canterbury junior and women’s championships at Rugby Park, today are almost certain to provide another absorbing afternoon’s sport. Juniors enter their sport with an enthusiasm that is not always evident in senior competitions, and with many improving youngsters, this promises some stirring contests, while in the women’s section the province has some of the best athletes in the country. Apart from P. Wells, who is not eligible for New Zealand. Miss V. I. Sloper is the province’s best hope for Olympic selection. Recently approved as a New Zealand record, her 46ft 3]in in the shot put made at the American meeting last December is the best in the

Empire. Almost every time Miss Sloper competes in the shot she beats the previous record by Yvette Williams, who was sixth at the last Olympics. Another top class performer in the women’s events is Miss W. Garrod (South Canterbury) in the javelin throw. Miss Garrod has lifted the national record from 127 ft 5} in. made by Miss C. Mac Gibbon (Australia) at the Auckland Empire Games, to 139 ft 31 in. A surprise entry is that of Empire Games representative. Miss J. Blackburn, in the long jump. This will be Miss Blackburn’s first competition for the season. There should be little to worry the Technical middle-distance runner, G. Hack, if he can reproduce the form he showed against Wellington, when he ran under 2min for the 880 yards. The junior and women’s sprints, in which there are several fine runners, are almost sure to be some of the most exciting races.