Athletics At Ashburton

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28480, 9 January 1958, Page 11

Athletics At Ashburton

Several of the best athletes in the South Island have undertaken to compete in the Ashburton Athletic Clubs post-entry meeting at Ashburton on Saturday, and some outstanding performances are anticipated.

Last year L. Jones (Toe H) beat D. Jowett (Otago), the Empire Games 220 yards champion, in the 100 yards in lOsec and won the 220 yards in 22.45ec. Jowett won the 440 yards in 49.25ec. These times were at that stage the fastest in the South Island for the season. Competitors at last year’s meeting were favourably impressed with the track and if the weather remains fine it is expected to be fast again. Valerie Sloper The main attraction for local spectators will be Valerie Sloper, whose parents’ home is in the Rakaia district. She will be competing at Ashburton for the first time since she was a schoolgirl. A welcome change from arrangements at Rugby Park will be the holding of the pole vault in the middle of the oval, where the spectators will have a good view of the event which should be a spectacular one. Mervyn Richards, the New Zealand record holder, and Brian Merrilees, both of Otago, are competing. An excellent race is likely to develop in the senior 440 yards in which a very strong field could be assembled. Those expected to contest this event are Jowett and P. E. Smith, both former national champions, M. Earwaker, the national junior record holder, B. McKenzie, the Canterbury junior champion, B. Kerr, second at the last national championship, P. Davies, a former Canterbury champion and T. E. Crossen and C. Courtney, the present provincial champion nearly all of them have run inside 50sec for the distance. Relay Attempt During the afternoon four Otago runners may make an attempt for a New Zealand four by 440 yards record. No New Zealalnd record is yet recognised for this event but the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association has set an exceptionally high standard of 3min 20sec. The organisers hope a Canterbury quartet will provide the competition and if this happens Otago may be severely tested to win.

The New Zealand and Canterbury women’s javelin throw record holder, Miss W. Garrod. now of Otago, will be a competitor. Other leading athletes who will probably be present are Miss Fay Mcßeath, holder of the Canterbury women’s 880 yards record; Miss E. Maxwell and Miss A. MacDonald, provincial representatives; D. j. Davison, the New Zealand Junior 220 yards champion; P. J. Morrisey the leading junior 220 and 440 yards runner; and D. B. Masters the provincial decathlon champion.