ATHLETICS M. J. Speden Throws Javelin 235ft 11½in, A N.Z. Record

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30035, 21 January 1963, Page 13

ATHLETICS M. J. Speden Throws Javelin 235ft 11½in, A N.Z. Record

In one of his last appearances at Rugby Park on Saturday, M. J. Speden scored two notable athletic successes. He broke M. J. Hahn’s New Zealand javelin record of 234 ft Bin by Ift 3} in and set a new provincial record of 6217 points in the decathlon championships, bettering R. G. Ball’s figure of 5792 points.

Speden, who will take up a teaching appointment in Wellington next month, was superior in most of the 10 events, especially in the jumps where he cleared 21ft Ilin in the long and sft lOjin in the high. He scored most points in the 100 metres, with B. Blackwell, the shot put, 400 metres, 110 metres hurdles, 1500 metres and the pole vault, with D. C. Leary and R. Syme, who was second with an over-all total of 5092 points.

Notwithstanding his failure to score any points in the pole vault M. J. Walls was still good enough in his other events to compile 4329 points in the junior decathlon. Walls, who has the makings of an excellent decathlon competitor, could not clear the necessary 6ft 4in in the pole vault to qualify for points, but he made up for this deficit by scoring well in the 100 metres, with 11.6 sec, the 400 metres, with 53.95ec, the long jump with 20ft 5% in, and with 15sec for the 110 yards hurdles. The hurdles were set at 3ft, six inches lower than those in the senior section.

The women’s pentathlon title was won by Mrs V. I. Young, who scored 4228 points, 135 below the record set by Miss L. Anderson last year. Miss Anderson, now Mrs Wilson, took part in the five events, but as it was only her second appearance this season she was, not unexpect-

edly, well below her best Her total of 3329 points gave her third place behind Miss L. Curtis, who scored 3934. There were only two competitors in the under 17 women’s pentathlon, which was narrowly won by Miss C. Rolton with 3294 points, 83 more than those compiled by Miss V. Gilmour. On her way to victory, Miss Rolton established a record in the long jump with a leap of 17ft l)in, which was seven inches better than the previous figure. Perhaps even more impressive was the effort by Miss Gilmour in the same event Aged 14, Miss Gilmour cleared 17ft lin, the same distance as that of Miss Curtis in the senior event

Canterbury Title* Three other Canterbury titles were decided, the senior men’s six miles and 3000 metres steeplechase and the junior men’s 3000 metres steeplechase. The Shirley runner. B. Turner, won his first six miles title after an excellent race in which he left behind C. Reece, who pulled

out after about a mile with a *li«ht le< injury. C. Preece and the tiUe-holder. R. Steven*. Turner** time was 30min 13aec. Turner cleared out from the second piace-getter. a. Payne la the last lap with D. Reece, who was 35*ec behind th« winner, third. J. D. Macdonald had the measure of Nelson's K. WilUana in the senior 3000 metre* steeplechase, winning convincingly la 9mln 37.8 sec. Mendon,ld passed Williams after two laps and steadily increased his lead, hurdling the obstacles and the water pit beautifully for a comfortable victory. WilUams returned a time of 9mln SOeec. well outtide his beet for thia event. The junior 3000 metre* race, a new event, went to K. Connell, who earlier this year eetabUanad a new mile record at the interschool sports. Connell won as he liked In lOnUn tosec. The moat interesting and thrilling race of the day was the junior half-mile where the new record holder. E. Bell, and hl* Technical chib mate, M. tones, battled stride for stride over the last 200 yard*. Bell, who lav* Jon«a 10 yard* at the bell, had to do his best to catch the sprinting Jone* down the back Straight and only a great effort enabled him to take a slight lead at the turn into the final straight. The strong head wind checked Bell ao much, however, that Jonas wa» able to snatch back the lead and Bell was again forced to grit hi* teeth and sprint a little harder to gain those extra few yard* to win. Bell's time of Imin s?.7*ec was exceptionally rood, as was Jones* time of Imln 58.1 sec. Abbreviations in tne re*ulu University, U.; Techrtlcal. T* Toch H, T.H.; Weetonian, WJ New Brighton. N. 8.; Marirt. 35., Olympic, O.; Shirley, S.. Aangiora. R.; Cashmere. C.; Riccarton. Rice.; Methven. M.; Linwood, L; Ashburton. A. Senior Decathlon M. J. Speden (T.), Sl7; Syme (U.). 5OB2; D. C. Leary (S ». 4371; Smith (N.Z.). 4368; BlackweU (W.), 3689. Detailed result*:—

100 Metre*. -Speden, 120, 597pta; Blackwslf, 183. 897; Syme. 18.1. 572; Smith, 12.1. 173; Leary, 123, 488. Long Jump—Speden, 81:11, 692; Blackwen, »5. 892; Syme. 20:1, 550; Smith, 193}. 483: Leary. 193, 479. Shoi Put.—Speden. 88:11, 868; Syme, 38A 544; Leary. 88:11. 498; Smith. 88:1, 406; Blackwell. 263, 278. High Jump.—Speden. 5.10%. TSBFSyme. 53« i. 615; Blackwell. 5:5}, 615; Smith. 5:41. 585; Leary, 5:3, 555. 400 Metre*—Speden. 521. 896; Syme. 53.5. 612; Blackwell. 54 6. 550; Smith. 559, 585; Leary. 57 8. 555. 110 Metre* Hurdles—Speden. 18.1. 875; Syme, 183. 618; Blackwell, 183. 878; Leary. 183, 801; Smith 183, 281. Discus. Syme, 183:8%. 885; Leary, 1813, 487; Speden. 1003>'«. 388; Smith. 98A. 875; Blackwell. 70:3, 818. Pole Vault—Speden. 103, 400; Syme. 103, «M>; Leary, 10:6, 400; Smith. Wd). M 3; Btackwttl. 7:16. 127. JaveUn —Speden. 835:111, 1045; Leary, 1877, 548; Syme. 1383, 389; Smith. 1873. 386; Blackwell. 1093%. M 9. 1500 Metre*. Speden. 4393, 498; Smith. 4:MA 464; Syme. 4:432, 387; Leary. 4:75A 283; Blackwell. 5:123. 188.

Junior Decathlon M. Waite JTJH.). 4338 uotate: A Tucker (HA). 4318; A Nlcolle (T.H.), 3308. Woman*! Pentathlon V. I. Young (T.). 4038 potato: L. Curtte (T). 3SM; L. Witeon (T.). 3338; S. Lightfoot (TH.). 31M. Detailed result!:— Shot Put—Young. Sl:4. MSB pointe; Curtte, 363%. 777: Lightfoot, »:»%. Tri; Witeon, 313. ns. 80 Metres Hurtles.—Young. 13.5. ttt; Curtte, IXI, Tri: W«■m. IX3, Mt; UrathxA, 113 High Jump.-Curtta, >«. «M; Long Jump —Curtis, 17:1, 800; Young. 14:8L TM: Witeon. U:L OSlFLightfoot. 143. WX 300 Metres.—Young 383, 863: Curtis. 313. Oil; Lightfoot, 30A SOI; Witeon. 30:4. 537. UnSsr 1? Pentathlon C. Rolton (T.). 33M potato; V. Gilmour, 3311 prints. CHAMPIONSHIP Bsnior 3000 Metres suiplirhm—J. Moodonuld (U.l. 8373. I*. J. *Turore (H). 30:13.0, 1; X Payne (T.). MiM-X X D. Reece (T), 30:483, X

Junior _ 3000 Metre StesplectMre.:—K. Connell (S.). 10:33(f 1: H. Nslson (Bia:.), 3: P. Couffitan (T.). X inteb-club Senior 100 Yards. Section 1: U Ven Vuuren (TH.). 103, 1; R. Jones (TJL). 11.4, 0; B. Mpoee (W 113, X Section F. Hmmwtb (kA). 10A 1; P- .<■#•>• 113. i; D? Wsrren ITS.). 3 G° n xlw' 'J. New- “♦» Tgferitaifib4.fr flt »ye njp. (TH). U; ajSSk *'• Wette (TX). Orator 33S Ttrts.—goettoe I: _OJoyce <U.), MA J; B. , (Sfc.), 383. fr B. Shipley (H.S >. 333, 3. Section H: B. Dobbs (Mi. 3XX _1: B. Brrant (S i. 34A 3; A Thompson <CJ, 34A *■Boo Yarta.-E- BeU <T.). 137.7, 1; M. Japes (T.). frM L 3; B. Shesrt (H.S.), 3:IL X Long Jump,—J. Walls (M-), ”T&rre Miter-©. Whitworth (T.), ISttX 1; *• Fartteson (T.j: 10314. fl; C. Woods <NJB ), MrttA X Relay, 4 x 110 Yarts-High School. 473, 1; ririrtey. M 3. X

Verier It 880 Yard!.—C. McFadden (TH.), 3:32, 1; L McGillivray (TH.), 3:1X0, 2; J. Dsenls (T.j, 3:133. X Long Jump.—J. Tully (HE.). 173 I; W. firook* (T.), ltd, 3; M. Cooper (H 3. 13: IS, X Under is B » Tarts—G. McNabb (E). tA, 1; A ThomiMou <C.), XX 3; X Tweedie (HeTsE. X 3M Tarts.-©. Mritabb (S). ISO <T.L 440 Yarda—D. Lapom (T.). Relay. 4 x IN Tarda—Toe H. •4.4, X; Combined team. M.l. & Unter ti