AN ATHLETIC FAMILY

Evening Star, Issue 24016, 15 October 1941, Page 12

AN ATHLETIC FAMILY

SCHOOLBOY SPRINTER'S PROMISE FAST TIME AT CHAMPIONSHIP SPORTS [By Pistol.] Standing out as one of the most promising sprinters seen at the State primary schools championship sports for many year;,, A. (“ Lex ”) Ingram, winner of the 100yds under 14 at the University Oval last Saturday, belongs to a family which is well known in Otago sport. His father, Hr C. W. Ingram,, showed early promise as a runner, but as he took up seafaring as an occupation he did not carry on with the sport to any extent. Nevertheless, in 1914 he was ruimer-up in the 75yds and 100yds championships at the primary schools sports meeting in 1914. In later years Mr Ingram has taken a keen interest in swimming administration. Ho lias been a member of the Otago Centro and is au executive official of the Dunedin Amateur Swimming Club. Lex’s eldest brother, M. R. B. (Bruce) Ingram, won the junior diving championship of New Zealand in 1936 at Hamilton, and also met with success as a backstroke exponent; Bruce is still only 19, and is now iu a Spitfire squadron of the R.A.F. in England. Another brother, Jack, is a very promising centre three-quarter in tho Otago Boys’ High School first fifteen, and is a competitor iu the High School sports this week. Last year lie was runner-up in the spruit championship at the High School sports, and at the secondary schools’ championship meeting he filled third place iu the 120yds hurdles. He has had the distinction of having represented the school in athletics every year during the last five. Lex Ingram certainly had the benefit of a following wind last Saturday, but for a boy just turned 14 his times were remarkably good, and there is no doubting their correctness. He won the heat of the 100yds under 14 in 11 4-ssec, which equalled the previous record, and lie gave Dunedin North Intermediate winning points in the final in the great time of XI l-ssce. Those who saw' him in training were not surprised at his performances, for in a trial at his own school he registered somewhat similar time. This is the youngster’s first year in running competition, but be intends going on with the sport. He has already made something of a name for himself as a swimmer. He represented the Dunedin Club at the Otago championships last season, and was third in tho 75yds back stroke. At the schools championship meeting be was run-uer-up in the 50yds free style under 14 to Lloyd Wilson, and second also iu the back stroke event.