N.Z. Strong In Middle Distance Running

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29803, 21 April 1962, Page 9

N.Z. Strong In Middle Distance Running

’THE selectors to choose the athletic team tor the Empire Games at Perth in November should have a reasonably easy task. The middle distance and distance runners. M. G Halberg, B. A. Magee. P. G. Snell. J. Davies, and G. Philpott, pick themselves, and L. Mills < fieldi and D. Norris (jumps) are so far ahead in their events that they, too, are automatic selections. In the women’s group Mrs V. Young and Misses M. A. M. Chamberlain, D. Porter and L. Duncan stand out, with Mrs Young undoubtedly first choice because of her dominance in the shot put. Best in World Mr A. L. Lydiard makes no attempt to conceal his opinion about New Zealand middle d.stance running: he says the Dom nion at present has the best in the world. Snell and Halberg alone justify that statement, for both hold a respectable num-1 ber of world records, but when one considers Davies. Baillie and D. Karl, all of whom have bet'ered 4m in 3sec this seasen for the mile, then the impression becomes more solidly en’renched that New Zealand distance runners are really getting a grip on things.

A few years ago if a runner in New Zealand other than Halberg had run a mile in just over four minutes the performance would have been widely acclaimed, but when Halberg just managed to head off Baillie. Davies and Karl in a mile at Auckland recently in 4min 2.2 sec, the fact was recorded and immedi. ately forgotten. This wonderful performance was lost in tbe winning time of Snell, 3min 56.8 sec. and in many ways it was to be regretted for times around 4min 2sec deserve the greatest commendation. Promising In this new group Davies, of Waikato, will be the runner to watch. Taller than Snell, powerful and fast, he has deeply impressed Lydiard. who, it is now recognised, is a man who knows. Davies like Snell began as a half-miler, but he can run four lans just as efficiently and It should not be too long before he breaks four minutes. He has all the makings of a champion. So these will probably be the middle distance runners to represent New Zealand at Perth and a formidable group they will be. Karl's selection could possibly be in the balance. for in two attempts at the three miles, he has failed quite badly and the selectors must naturally bear this in mind.

R. Heeps is the country’s I best sprinter, but by Com- , monwealth standards he is , well down the list in the 100 yards and 220 yards. Last year ; at least 10 sprinters bettered . 9osec for the 100 yards and. . j so far. Heeps has yet to beat 9.7 sec officially There are dozens who have beaten his f best time of 21.8 sec tor the i 220 yards, and on these performances Heeps has no ■ chance of success. B Robinson, a very fine ' athlete, is almost certain to 1 go as a quarter-miler, and probably he will be entered

in the furlong as well. Robinson is currently ninth in the Commonwealth ranking list with 47.25ec. New Zealand’s best-ever pole vaulter, M. D. Richards, will be a certain selection in this event where he ranks third in the Commonwealth. Two Australians are ahead of him but there are several British vaulters, many of whom have just started to use the fibre-glass poles, or catapults as some critics have cynically labelled them, catching up fast. Here is a team which could represent New Zealand at athletics at Perth: 220 yards. Robinson; 440 yards, Robinson; 880 yards, Snell, Davies; mile, Snell, Davies. Karl; 3 miles, Halberg, Baillie: 6 miles. Halj berg. Magee: marathon. . Magee, J. Julian; shot. ’ Mills; discus, Mills: hop. step j and jump. Norris: long jump. . Norris: pole vault. R : chards I Women.—loo yards, 220 yards, Porter: half mile, i Chamberlain; shot put. dis- ; cus. Young. Duncan: long ' jump, A. Mclntosh, L. An- ’ dersen; high jump. Anderson. Curtis; 80 metres hurdles, ' Mclntosh. Strong possibilities are R Ball in the javelin and discus and R. Tait in the shot and discus. Both are young and improving athletes of considerable potential.