ATHLETICS

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 19, 23 January 1926, Page 18

ATHLETICS

8v 'Sprinter.l TOUR OPENED AMERICANS AT HAMILTON PROSPECTS OF RECORDBREAKING. In their first contests on New Zealand soil —at Hamilton last Saturday —the Americans (Scholz and Hahn) performed exceedingly well, though it was unfortunate that the starting and handicapping in some cases left much to be desired. Both visitors went well enough in their respective events to suggest that both are capable of setting new figures in the New Zealand record book. With everything in order at Auckland to-day it would not be surprising to hear of the visitors making very fast times. They are keen to give samples of their true form, and they are making strenuous endeavours to get into proper mnning trim. Within twenty minutes of their arrival in Auckland from Hamilton this week they were both on the track at the Domain. There is no doubt about it that Scholz and Hahn make training a very serious business. Even so, they find time to_look after others, and they have been devoting much attention to instructing young runners in Auckland. The crowd of trainees at the Domain lias greatly increased this week. Some Fast Times. In the 100 yds handicap at Hamilton a bad start affected Scholz's chances of showing up as expected. Most of the runners "beat" the pistol; in fact, several were well on the way before the Report of the gun was heard. It was in the 220 yds handicap, however, that the champion showed great form. Over the last 50 yards he showed a fine burst of speed, and breasted the tape ahead of the field in 22sec. This time is exceptionally good for a first appearance, and it points to Seholz making a bold bid for records over this distance. In spite of being heavily handicapped, Hahn was able to demonstrate at Hamilton that, he is a great middledistance runner. In the 880 yds event he gave away big starts, including 45 yards to Savidan, who ran second in the half-mile and mile championships at Auckland. Hahn was defeated by the Aucklander, but only by a short distance, and as the winner's time was lmin 57sec, Hahn's performance wa;s_really splendid. Those who saw Hahn in this race consider that before the tour is completed he will create a new record for the half-mile. The existing record is lmin 57 4-ssec. put up by D. A. Leathern (South Africa) in 1922. Scholz and Hahn were to compete at Auckland to-day. L. C. Williams, D. P. Deere, J. E. Miller, and H. M'Coy were among those to oppose Scholz in the hundred, although the Auckland champion (Williams) was a doubtful smarter. Deere, who has a brother in Wellington eager to be reinstated, is Auckland's most improved sprinter, and at the Domain last week he impressed Scholz by the manner/^i which he won a 100 yds race. It was anticipated in the furlong race to-day Scholz would register the fastest time ever made on tne Domain track. G. Davidson holds the record for the track —21 4-ssec. Hahn was entered for three races to-day, but it was expected that he would compete in the. half-mile and mile events, in which his most dangerous opponents were likely to be T. M. Wilson (formerly of Wellington), W. Savidan, and G. Kells. Everybody will be keen to hear the result of the mile at Auckland to-day, as Hahn did not run over this distance at Auckland. Notes. Good weather, close finishes, and the excellence of performances made the second Dewar Shield meeting at Athletic Park on Saturday afternoon a very fine one for spectators. Mr. ColIyer had the track in fine trim, and some very creditable times were registered, i A yeung Wanganui runner, H. E. Newton, created somewhat of a surprise by defeating W. Mitchell in the half-mile handicap. Both men were on the 10yds mark, and coming into the straight they were together. A little further on, however, Newton shot ahead, and Mitchell had nothing in hand to put in a strong finish. Newton also was conspicuous in the 440 yds handicap off the 6yds mark. W. Kyle, who was expected to put up fast time, was not at his best in this event. He seemed to be blocked halfway round, and when about fifty yards from the tape slackened his pace. Kyle started off at a great bat, and this rather surprised Newton, who was passed in no time.

Among the sprinters, D. Paris and M. Leadbetter did not seem to be able to strike their best form, neither getting into the final of the 220 yds handicap. On the other hand, C. H. Jenkins gave a glimpse of his old form. Ho is improving each week, and with reasonable luck he should make the sprint events at the provincial championship meeting on Saturday next interesting;' Jenkins showed that he had developed a useful finish on Saturday in the firat heat of the furlong, when he i-anio t through the field from the back to snatuh first place on the tape-.

The ladies were out in force, and they provided some exciting finishes. Miss Swinburne was not running well, and Misses Porter, Collins, Miller, and Mantan shared the honours.

The 440 yds hurdles handicap was a very tame affair. There were only four competitors, and the exhibition of hurdling they gave could not be called good. There is a dearth of hurdlers in Wellington at the present time, and it seema a. pity that inoro (In not take up this branch of the sport- A good hurdle race, with the competitors flying the hurdles in the approved fashion. is t certainly fhfilling.