TRACK AND FIELD

Evening Star, Issue 23092, 19 October 1938, Page 4

TRACK AND FIELD

Athletic Notes and Comments

Junior and Women's Titles

[By Pistol.]

Fixtures. October 20.—Otago Boys’ High .School sports; ' King’s High School sports. October 29.—Otago Centre’s marathon race, at Mosgiel. October 31, November 7, 14, and 21. —Otago Centre evening meetings, Caledonian Ground. , November s.—Secondary schools’ championship meeting, Caledonian Ground. AUSTRALIANS' TENTATIVE ITINERARY , December 14.—Sail by Maunganui from- Melbourne. , December 18.—Arrive at Bluff. December 21 (Wednesday).—Compete at Invercargill. December 24 (Saturday).—Coaching school at Dunedin. December 26 (Monday).—Compete at Roxburgh. December 29 (Thursday).—Compete at Timaru. , January 2 (Monday).‘—Compete at Alexandra. 1 January .4 (Wednesday). ; —Compete at Christchurch. January 7 (Saturday).—Compete at Christchurch. > • January ill (Wednesday).—Compete at Oaiuaru. • 1 . January 14 (Saturday).—Compete at ■Dunedin. ■■',■•■ January 16 (Monday).—Depart from. Bluff. MARATHON CHAMPIBSIW v INTEREST IN COMING RACE The numerical smallness of the field will- not' detract from interest in the Otago Centre’s Marathon race over a course of 26 miles 385 yards at Mosgiei next week, since the race this season has a provincial title attached to it, a Marathon now being included on the ! New Zealand championship programme at Napier.- Last season’s event was a local Empire Garries trial, and was won by that sterling distance runner, G. L. Austin, in 2h 52min. Second place went to L. R. M'Millan, the only other runner to finish.

M'Millan is not competing om this occasion, and, besides Austin, those who have been-training vigorously for the event are Clarrie Gibbons, Dale Fincham, and Rod Colston. Gibbons is fitter than he was last year, and is bound to have profited from the lesson he learnt on that occasion, When he began at much too fast a clip. Last Saturday Colston and Austin, ran to Poftobello along the high road, returning by the low road. It is the intention of Gibbons, Austin, and Colston to carry on training for the New Zealand Marathon championship at Napier in March. George Austin and Clarrie Gibbons are both in the veteran stage as athletes go—Austin is 35 and Gibbons about a year younger—hut in a copy of the ‘ Amateur Athlete,’ the American publication, 1.-'was reading only recently of a great come-back made by the famous distance performer, Pat Dengis, at the age of 37. Dengis, a Marathon star, was the outstanding Marathon performer in 1935 and.national A.A.U., champion, and he was practically assured of a place in the American Olympic team. He collapsed in the Boston Marathon try-out in April. 1936, and was taken to hospital, suffering from severe loss of blood. Physicians diagnosed his illness, ns ‘.‘.Paroxsvnal, hemoyloliniiria,” a rupture of blood vessels containing “ hemoglobin ” (the red matter of the blood), causing the blood to turn white. Once again, in June, 1936, he failed to live up to bis reputation, and so missed the Olympic boat. When he collapsed again, at Boston in April,. 1937. everyone said he was a back number. However, after a period in John Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, where he underwent a variety of tests (on one occasion getting out of bed to run 'miles) , “ Pat ’’ started on intensive training. Physicians were frankly baffled by his case. But Dengis would' not admit he was finished with marathon running. Long hours of training on a home-made rowing machine and -many miles of road work preceded his'next race, the national marathon championships at 'Washington, in June. J 937. Dengis finished second that day, and on the basis of that performance was selected to represent the U.S.A. in. the PanAmerican Games ,at Dallas, Texas, on July 18. This day was “ Pat’s ” thirtv-seventh birthday, and he’ celebrated it in grand style by running Ribas, of the Argentine, into the ground., in the last seven miles of the race, giving the U.S.A,. it’s first victory in an international marathon race in 30 years. His next race was the Port Chester marathon, and he rolled home,an easy winner in the fast time of 2h 33min!i and led the field by a mile. Three weeks later the Yonkers marathon was added to his ever-in-

creasing string of marathon victories. Handicapped by an injured knee, caused by a fall while in training on a dark road only eight days prior to the race, Dengis was unable to hold to the early pace, and at 18 miles was a full two miles out of the lead. Closing just in the finalstages, Dengis was in third place half a mile behind with three miles to go, and with the most sensational bit of stretch running seen in many years, took the lead one mile from the finisn, to eventually win by 4Uoyds.

VICTORIAN ATHLETES' VISIT The tour under the auspices of the Otago Amateur Athletic Centre of the Victorian Empire Games athletes, Gerald Backhouse and Ted Best, is now beginning to take tangible shape, and the centre’s Tour Committee has reached the stage where a tentative itinerary has been arranged, and preliminary arrangements are being completed. Besides appearances at four of the Otago towns outside Dunedin and one in this city, there have been requests elsewhere for apparances by the visitors, and tentative dates have been offered to Wellington and 1 limaru at their request, and the Canterbury Centre is also" being approached to.give them an opportunity of taking part if they so desire. , Earlv in the tour of the Victorians they will put in a Saturday afternoon at the Caledonian Ground with the, local'athletes in the form of a coaching, gohpol,, .and the visit to Timaru it ,is’,iipped'i.will-, coincide with the cqachschool that is being arranged by 7 the ,i! "eiiterprising South’ Qante'rbiry Sub-centre., ■ ■This centre is very anxious to have the Australians over the holiday period, and its members are prepared to come to Dunedin to discuss arrangements. The Wellington and Canterbury professional coach, A. L. hitch, will have charge of the coaching school at Timaru over the holidays, and it is expected that many of New Zealand s leading athletes will be present, thus affording a fitting background for an appearance by the Australians on the fast cinder track in Timaru. The Wellington Centre, which is undertaking a tour of its own later in the season, also seeks an appearance from the visitors, and indications are that, given good weather, the tour will be a complete success. A remarkable performance was put up by G. H. BWbrough. a Dunedin police constable, at the Civil Service .Club’s sports meetings on the last two Saturdays. Bilbrough, who is possessed of natural all-round ability, ■gained five firsts and five seconds, and although he had never handled a discus before, lie threw it to a distance of 75 feet. At the same meeting Doug, rreeman. the well-known Otago champum diver and amateur wrestler, made his first appearance in competition and gained second place in the discusthrowing event. He had never handled a discus before, either, yet he sent the plate out to a distance of just on 70 feet. It is Freeman’s intention, however, to concentrate on the pole vault, and if determination and perseverance count, he is likely to surmise many people before the season has been long under way. One of the most promising field athletes in action last season was E. Black, another member of the Dunedin police force, who showed marked ability in more than one event. Black took up the pole vault shortly before the Otago championships, and improved so quickly that he was able to take place with a jump of 10ft. During the winter he was one of. the outstanding members of the Dunedin Football Club’s senior fifteen, but a leg injury received in one of the games is likely to keep him among the onlookers until the track and field season is well advanced.

JUNIOR AND WOMEN ATHLETES OTAGO’S PROMISING TALENT To Mr A. L. Fagg, formerly a member of the Toko. Club and now in Wellington. must go a good deal of the ore"lit for the establishment last , season of the Otago junior and women’s championship meeting, and now that the inaugural national junior and women’s fixture is to be held at? Auckland in the coming season, more than ordinary interest will attach to the meeting in Dunedin, which will probably be held after the New Year. The secondary schools’ championship meeting was instituted by the centre in 1926. and with this as a foundation and the junior and women’s championship meeting already established, it should be possible for Otago to choose quite a strong team for the national meeting. ' For some years women’s athletics in Otago lost ground, but interest was completely revived last season, and with the added incentive of a. national meeting it is reasonable to expect an improvement in the general standard. Already Otago can call upon the most outstanding member of the New Zealand women’s athletic team at the Empire Games in the person of Miss Betty Forbes. With no competition at all, she has made steady advance each

year, breaking her own New Zealand record on a number of occasions during the last few years, hnd finally clearing sft 2in at the Empire Games, where she actually tied for second place, but having a greater number of failures than the other competitor who cleared the same height, she had, according to the rules of the competition, to be satisfied with third place. There has been no one to approach her standard of performance in New Zealand, and the popular little Oamani girl may be expected to soar to still greater heights in the coming season. It is a pity that walking is not catered for in the national junior championship programme, for that Would have been a good means of reviving interest in . that branch of sport, since (host of the secondary schools include walks on their programmes. However, that may come later on.

Otago has some very promising junior performers, and one who stands out is Colin M'Gregor, who at 17 had the distinction of representing Otago in the national championships at Christchurch last March, where he acquitted himself very creditably. The strong Anglican athlete' is the present Otago junior 100yds and 200yds. champion, his times being' 12 2-ssec and 23 3-osec respectively, both good efforts on the Caledonian Ground, and he won the Otago 220yds title, in 23sec. He will improve further this season, and must be looked upon as a possibility for national junior honours at Auckland.

Among, the middle-distance men are some promising youngsters, and if J. A. M'Pherson fulfils his earlier promise he will have to be considered for selection in the Otago team. The field events also reveal some likely talent, and with the Otago Centre’s policy of catering for the junior athletes at its weekly evening meetings, there will be ample scope for improvement in the coming season.'

The success that has attended junior and intermediate competition in swimming is , sufficient ; indication of the possibilities of this class of compeltion, which should do much to further popularise track and field athletics.

The present list of holders of Otago junior and women's titles is given below :

75 Yards, Ladies.—Miss D. Straehan (Timaru).' 9ec. 100 Yards, Ladies.—Miss D. Strachan (Timaru), 12sec. 90 Yards, Ladies’ Hurdles.—Miss A. Nimmo .(North Otago), 14 3-ssec. 440 Yards 1 , Ladies’ ’Relay.—Shillings ■Ltd., 56 4-osec. ■ iJig.ll Jump, Ladies,—Miss B. .Eojrbw (North Otago),. 6ft. 0 3-16 in. Broad , Jjimp, Ladies.—Miss I ■ D.Strachan (Timaru),- 16ft 9Jin. \ ■ Javelin Throwing, Ladies.—-Miss B. Davey (North Otago), 82ft 3in. 100 .Yards, Junior.—C. M‘Gregor (Anglican), 10 2-ssec. 220 Vards, Junior.—G. " M'Gregor (Anglican), 23 2-ssec. ■ 440 Yards, Junior.—J. A. MTherson (0.8.H.5.), 55 3-ssec. 880 Yards, Junior—J. A. MTherson (0.8.H.5.), 2miu llsec. One Mile, Junior.—D. Frood (University), slhin llsec. Two Miles, Junior. R. Martin (Toko.), lOmin 36sec. 120 Yards, Junior Hurdles.—R. G. Gough (0.8.H.5.), 16 4-ssec. 220 Yards, Junior Hurdles. —J. Strathern (Cavershara), 31 l-ssec. One Mile, Junior Walk.—J. G. Reid (0.8.H.5.), 9min 12sec. High Jump, Junior.—A. M'Cartney (Civil Service), sft 2in Broad Jump, Junior. E. Hely (Anglican), 19ft 4in. Hop, Step, and Jump, Junior.—M. J, L. Phelan (0.8.H.5.), 41ft Kljin. Javelin Throw, Junior.—K. W. Paterson (0.8.H.5.), 130 ft lin. Shot Putt, Junior.—M. J. L. Phelan (0.8.H.5.); 34ft lin. Pole Vault, Junior.—K. W. Paterson (0.8.H.5.), 10ft 2in.

VARSITY CLUB'S SUCCESSFUL FIXTURE Although the attendance of spectators was very small, the picnic sports staged by the University Hairier Club may be counted as .a success, for the competitors thoroughly enjoyed the fare that was provided, and there is. no doubt that more meetings of this kind would add to the enjoyment of the more moderate performers. The New Zealand University shot putt champion,J. L. Adams, who made a name for himself during the winter as a niore than useful forward in the senior Rugby competition,, lias not touched a shot for ’ months, but he made a very creditable reappearance, as his effort of 35ft Bin-would indicate. Adams intends putting in practice with the shot over the coming holidays, and it is well within his capabilities to heave the pill to a distance of over 40ft this.season.

Although most of tl.Ve competitors in this event found difficulty in bordering even 30ft, it was noticeable that there was quite a bit of natural talent which requires only a little coaching' to be brought out. For instance, H. Sullivan, of Celtic United, was able to putt the shot just on 30ft without any idea of technique at all. He has the natural assets but no idea of co-ordinating his movements, his only desire apparently being to sling the weight with his arm. With a little coaching and practice, this competitor could add feet to his present distance. The mile steeplechase was won by a representative of the St. Kilda Club in T. Ural son. He was conceded 40sec by the scratch man, and made no race of it, winning comfortably from D. Ryan (Celtic United), who had 25soc. The winner is a nephew of the former New Zealand and Australasian champion, Jim Beatson, and he shapes quite promisingly, his time being smiu 14 2-Ssec. Fastest time in this event was put up by R. S. Anderson, an ex-Civil Service athlete, who is now a member of the University Club. His time was 4min 50sec. Anderson is, a keen athlete, who had success in several other events, and he should be a useful member of the Varsity team on the track in the coming season.

The 100yds handicap was nicely won by I). Rodgers, off 3yds, in 10 3-osec, the winner being a good stamp of sprinter.

NATIONAL JUNIOR AND WOMEN'S MEETING The most important function of the season will be the inaugural New Zealand junior and women’s championship meeting (states the annual report of the Auckland Centre). The centre’s struggle for the institution of these championships has lasted over four years, and it can justly and proudly clitim to have been responsible for the most progressive move made in athletics for many years, “ While congratulating ourselves upon this achievement, let us not forget that 'with it comes a great responsibility,” the report proceeds. “It is our duty , to make sure that these championships are a success in every way, otherwise our self-satisfaction is somewhat premature. In view of the dangers of over-competition by the immature, and the risks attending too much success at too early an age, the junior portion of this combined pro. gramme must receive careful attention and preparation by this centre. We owe it to the youth of the Dominion to provide a meeting that will assist out young athletes to reach for greater athletic laurels, not a meeting that will prevent them from so doing.”

AUSTRALIANS FOR WELLINGTON A decision to act independently in an endeavour to arrange for a visit of Australian athletes to Wellington in the coming athletic season has been made by the executive of the Wellington Amateur Athletic Centre. The New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association council decided recently against a national tour and gave the Otago Centre permission to invite two Australians.

At ;i meeting of the Wellington executive it was decided to ask J. Mumlord and J. P. Metcalfe, of New South Wales, and Miss Decima Norman, of Western Australia, whether they would come to New Zealand. The executive’s proposal is for a visit from these three athletes in either January or February. They were three of Australia’s most outstanding representatives at the Empire Games in Sydney in February of this year. Mumford finished second to C. B. Holmes (England) in the 100yds and 220yds, beaten (according to the official record) by a yard in each in 9.7 and 21.2, both times being Empire Games records.. He ■also 1 finished fourth in the 440yds. ‘Metcalfe has previously visited New Zealand. He won the hop, step; and Jump at the Empire Games with ‘a'performance of 50ft 10in, and was fifth in the broad jump. He is also a first-class high jumper and a good javelin thrower. Miss Decima Norman was the idol of the crowds who attended the track events at the Empire Games, and well idid she deserve the praise bestowed upon her. She won the women’s 100yds, 220yds, and running broad jump, and established an Empire Gaines record in each, and was also a member of the two successful Australian women’s relay teams, one of which created an Empire Games record.

NOTES Graham Quinn, the New Zealand 100yds and 220yds champion, has always been keen to have a serious attempt at the quarter-mile, and this season he intends to do so, Quinn was very satisfied with his showing when he ran the 440yds in the mile relay at the Empire'Gaines last February, and he told “ Pistol ” at the time that he contemplated making an effort to produce form over this distance in the coming season. Quinn was opposed by some good men over the quarter in the relay in Sydney, and for a runner who had hot trained for 440yds, and one, moreover, Whose leg had given him trouble, he shaped really well. Quinn is bads in Wellington, and will probably be that centre’s best bet at the New Zealand diarapionships from 100yds to 440yds. Acocrdihg to a letter received from a Wellington athletic’enthusiast there is a possibility of several electric light meetings being hejd in Wellington this season, but nothing definite has been announced yet. The only definite preseason organisation appears to have been the part-time re-engagement of last season’s coach. The centre is to retain the use of Hataitai Park, not a good ground, but a ground that is available solely for athletics every evening and every Saturday afternoon. There are some very promising youngsters in the northern province, but my correspondent says that the prospects of turning out a first-rate team for the next New Zealand championships do not look particularly bright. The annual meeting of the Council of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association will be held on November 29. It is expected that the new handbook will be out before the end of the year, with revisions from end to end.

The number of registered athletes has increased to 1,140. The numbers for the three previous years were 334, 620, and 992. To the 1,140 may be added the vast number of both primary and secondary schoolboys who during the athletic portion of their school year take part in the sports as keenly as do registered athletes. It is pleasing to record an increasing number of registrations from both junior and women competitors, particularly in view of the fact that the centre will now have to prepare teams for the newlyestablished New Zealand junior and women’s championships (states the Auckland Centre’s annual report). A marathon championship over the full distance of 26 miles 385yds will be held at Wellington on Labour Day. In recent years marathon races have been held in Wellington, but these were not for a championship title. The race will be held in conjunction with the Labour Day sports at Newtown Park, and will be controlled by oliicials of the Wellington harrier subcommittee.

'The New Zealand University track and field.championships, as part of thf> Master tournament, are to be held In .Dunedin in the coming year, and it is gratifying to find that the preliminary arrangements for this and other fixtures in connection with the tournament are being put in hand before the University closes for the long vacation. The number of registered athletes in the Waikato Sub-centre of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association last season was 300. The Otago Boys’ High School sports will be held on the school ground at Littlebourne to-morrow, and the King’s High School will hold its annual fixture on the school ground also. The first evening meeting of the season is less than a fortnight away, and will be held on the Caledonian Ground on Monday, October 31. The events comprise a two-mile handicap. 100yds, 880yds, high jump, discus throwing, and. 880yds men’s relay handicaps (4 x 220yds), 75yds and 880yds junior handicaps, 7oyds women’s handicap, 440yds women’s relay (4 s 110yds), and 100yds handicap for boys under 14. „ . _ Theo. Allen, British Empire Games half-mile finalist and Australian recordbreaker, has been on slow work at the Caledonian Ground for about a foitnight, and intends spending another month on slow work. It will be towards the end of November when he makes his first apeparance in competition, and he told the writer on Monday that he hoped 7 to compete at Roxburgh and Alexandra during the holidays. Bob M'Lachlan. the Otago half-mile champion,' who finished third in ,the New Zealand half-mile championship, has ajfo begun training, and is at present on slow work i ... ' . Wooderson’s reason for, failing to break Jack Lovelock’s 1,500 metre record in his recent attempt: ‘ The wind at »ome stages was so stiff that I was hardlv able to breathe. Therefore 1 did not think of going ‘ all out. -