Pyne’s Selection Being Considered

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31862, 14 December 1968, Page 15

Pyne’s Selection Being Considered

The national cross-country selectors (Messrs F. Sharp, Auckland and L. P. Bradshaw, Dunedin) are considering the performance of A. G. Pyne, who gained third place in the recent United States championships, now that they have received a full report of the race.

Mr Bradshaw said last night that any recommendation they made would be passed on to the chairman of the management committee of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association (Mr C. A. Blazey).

Pyne finished the 10,000 metres cross-country course only o.6sec outside the record of 30min 47.45ec, set by B. Kidd (Canada) three years ago. The winner of the race, J. Mason, clocked 30min 34.25ec, and the second place-getter, A. Dulong, was timed at 30min 48sec.

Pyne’s oppoents included American athletes who have represented their country at the recent Olympics and in international marathon events and previous cross-country championships. Mason was a finalist in the 1500 metres trials in the United States, held the A.A.U. title for 1500 metres last season and represented the United States in Europe. In fourth place, behind Pyne, was A. Burfoot, who won the Boston marathon this

year. W. Clark, a finalist for the United States trials in the 10,000 metres and marathon, was fifth, and W. Deily, who represented the United’States at Mexico in the steeplechase, was sixth.