SHIELD DEFENDERS

Evening Star, Issue 21823, 12 September 1934, Page 11

SHIELD DEFENDERS

WEST COAST HARRIERS A YOUTHFUL TEAM The first of the visiting teams for the New Zealand cross-country championship at VVingatui on Saturday nest will arrive this afternoon, this being the West Coast (North island) combination, holders of the New Zealand teams championship shield, lifted from Otago at Wanganui last year. The West Coast team comprises the following;— C. Weller.—Present Wanganui club champion, a title he also won in 193233. He is twenty years of age, weighs eight stone, and stands sft 2in, being the smallest runner entered for the race. He is the present West Coast (N. 1,) cross-country champion, and was runner-up to J. W. Savidan in the New Zealand cross-country championship last year. This will be his fifth New Zealand cross-country chanipoiiiship. He finished sixth in one national race prior to last year. A. Bourgeois.—Represented West Coast in the New Zealand three-mile championship at Auckland in 1932, and in the mile and three miles at Wellington this year. He was runner-up to Weller in the Wanganui Club Championship this year. This is his first appearance in a New Zealand crosscountry championship. Ho is twenty years of age and stands oft lOin.

C. Jr!ill. —Comes from Marion and ran as an individual last year. He is champion of the Marion Club and also a track runner. Fie stands Sit Sin. He finished in the first twenty in the New Zealand cross-country championship last year, and was runner-up to Weller in the West Coast (N’.l.) championship this year. He has gained fastest times in the majority of the runs conducted by the Mnrton Club this season. F. Hill.—A first season runner and a brother of C. Hill. He is a one and three-mile track runner. Stands sft Sin and is well built; Has been rnnnevUji to his on numerous occasions for fastest time honours. M. Radford.—ls the New Plymouth Club’s junior champion, and was run-ner-up in the Taranaki senior crosscountry championship. Is a consistent runner, and has done very well with his club this year. Stands oft 7in. J. Pike.—Champion of the New Plymouth Club and Taranaki champion. He was third in the West Coast (N. 1.) champion, and is also the Taranaki champion. The manager of the team is Mr A. C. Bourgeois, president of the Wanganui Harrier Club, president of the Wanganui Amateur Athletic Chib, and a member of the West Coast Centre. Also accompanying the team is Mr C. R. Wit itc. who managed the West Coast loam in Christchurch in 1 n;»t?. He is a member of the West Coast Centre.