Leary to lead athletes in N.Z. championships

Press, Volume CXIII, Issue 33155, 20 February 1973, Page 24

Leary to lead athletes in N.Z. championships

(By R. O. DEW) The New Zealand javelin title-holder, D. C. Leary, has been named captain of the strong Canterbury team to contest the national track and field championships at Newtown Stadium, Wellington, on March 2 and 3.

After his winning throw of 209 ft in the Canterbury championship last Saturday, he appears to have a grand chance of retaining his national title. But the competition he faces will be strong and much of it could come from fellow Canterbury representatives. I The selectors (Messrs D. W. McKenzie, W. jowett, and V. Briedis) have taken the unusual step of naming four I competitors for the javelin 'because of the depth of ability evident in this event. The ■ others are M. G. Stewart. D. ! Wightman, and the New Zealand decathlon champion, M. Mene. ■ Four competitors have also: been named for both the sen-: ior men’s 100 metres and the ■ women’s 200 metres. In the; men’s event, T. Cochrane. B iFord and G. Anderson have been joined by the New Zealand junior champion, MJ ’Sutherland. In the women’s] 200 metres. Misses B. Peter-! son, L. Trimble, F. Teahen,: ,and J. Beckett are all capable | of making their marks at! ; national level. All these athletes have: ! achieved the standard neces-i ■ sary before a province is per- , Imitted to enter more than' I three in any event. I The former Commonwealth: Games champion, Mrs V. 1., 'Young, has been chosen as; ■ captain of the women’s secyion. She will defend both her! , discus and shot titles. For the first time for many! years a representative has not I ■been named in the men’s sec-; tion for the 400 metres, the! shot, or the discus. The Can-1 terbury 400 metres champion.! A. W. Tweedie, indicated that : ■ he was not available but! agreed to race in the 4 x 400: metres relay. H. J. Ruffell. the 17st giant of Canterbury :

athletics, was not available: either. He would have been' ian obvious choice for the shot! as well as the discus. i It seems a little strange' ; that Mene, who caused a; minor upset by winning the .provincial discus title, has not been named for this event as I well as the others he will] ! compete in. The selectors also appear to have been a little harsh !in not naming the Canterbury J pole vault chamipon, C. F. Stricke, in the team. He was, a bronze medal winner at I Hamilton last season, and would have been a likely place-getter against Welling-! , ton. The clash between the

championships and the departure of the New Zealand t cross-country team has slightly affected Canterbury’s ' strength. Neither of the province’s two national cross- i country representatives, J. R. Sheddan and E. M. Gray, were available. The team is:— men 1 100 m.—T. Cochrane, G. Ander- J son. B. Ford, M. Sutherland. t 200m.—Cochrane, Anderson, ‘ Ford. BOOin. —D. Green, A. Gilmour, * K. Silcock. . 1500 m—F. Brookes, S. McLean. 1 3000 m steeplechase.—M. Could-a-ell. K. 5000 m.—T. Ellis, R. Sharpe, C. tlicks 10,000 m. —Ellis, Hicks. 110 m hurdles. —M. Mene. ( 400 m hurdles. —R. Mclntosh. j 4 x 110 m relay.—Cochrane, An- ■ derson. Ford. Sutherland (Mene 4 x 400 m relay.—A. Tweedie. Cochrane. Green, Mclntosh (Anderson reserve). Hammer throw.—W. Nicholl, B. Harland, G. Grant. Javelin.—D. Leary, M. Stewart, D Wightman, M. Mene. High jump.—P. Crampton. G. Armishaw. Long jump.—K. Simpson, M. Mene, M. Beablc. Triple jump.—K. Simpson. 20km walk. —J. Cleary.

! WOMEN 100 m.—B. Peterson. F. Teahen. 1 J. Beckett. 200m.—Peterson, L. Trimble. Teahen, Beckett. 400 m—J. Gdanitz, L. McKay. ( 800 m.—D. Falvey, J. Beale, T. , Kane. 1500 m—Falvey, J. Gilling. < 100 m hurdles.—C. Penfold. 4 x 100 m relay.—Peterson,., Teahen, Trimble, Beckett (Pen- | fold reserve). 4 x 400 m relay.—Gdanitz, Me-' | Kay, Trimble. Beale (Kane re-1. serve). Long jump.—Gdanitz, McKay, l l S. Burnside. High jump.—J. Harper, Gdanitz, ; J. Quigley. Shot.—V. Young, S. Mene, J. Kerr. Discus. —Young, F. Granger, Mene Javelin.—Mene. Granger, J. Dippie. Would all team members conitact the centre secretary. Mr 1. D. Teague, Phone 70-644. before', 5 o.m. Wednesday, February 21. —Advt. !