Crocker Invited To Replace Lay

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30940, 22 December 1965, Page 14

Crocker Invited To Replace Lay

The outstanding Auckland sprinter, C. Crocker, is to be invited to compete at the Butler Bros, sponsored evening meeting at Rugby Park on January 4.

This action was decided on by the Canterbury Athletic Centre last evening when it was informed that the Australian sprint champion, R. I-ay, had been forced to withdraw from the meeting because of a leg injury. If Crocker accepts it will mean that New Zealand's top four sprinters will be competing at the meeting, probably over both 100 yards and 220 yards. C. J. Maguire, of Otago, who has equalled the New Zealand resident record of 9.6 sec for the 100 yards three times, has already accepted an invitation to compete. The reigning New Zealand sprint champion. A. G. Steel, and a former New Zealand sprint champion, D. W. Mackenzie, are also firm entries. Fastest Time Crocker, who is moving to New Guinea in January, has been in tremendous form this season. He has the fastest time for the 100 yards In New Zealand this season—9.ssec—but it was disallowed as a record because of a following wind. He has also recorded 9.7 sec for the distance and turned in some outstanding performances over the furlong as well. Last season Crocker finished runner-up to Steel in the New Zealand 220 yd championship and also finished third in the

100 yards, behind Steel and Mackenzie. , The meeting decided against inviting another prominent Australian athlete to replace Lay. It was felt that there was no-one else available who would prove a sufficient draw. Wind Assistance In an effort to assist Steel and Mackenzie in their bid for Empire Games selection facilities are to be provided at Rugby Park to run the 100 and 220 yards with wind assistance. “We have the leading sprinters in the country and we should give them our greatest assistance,” said Mr Kennedy.