AMERICAN ATHLETE

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20184, 29 February 1940, Page 9

AMERICAN ATHLETE

LEADING POLE-VAULTER APPEARANCE IN N.Z. Strolling on to Pukekura Park in his every-day clothes, an athleticlooking stranger gave officials, athletes and spectators at a recent evening meeting in New Plymouth one of the biggest surprises of their lives, states a iDunedin ’writer. According 'to a letter to a Dunedin friend from J. S. Shephard, former Anglican club athlete, the well-built stranger inquired if anyone was interested in pole vaulting. He was introduced to F. S. Barraclough, who holds the New Zealand record for that event, and was asked il he would like a jump. His reply gave the officials their first shock. “Sure,” he said, “Set the bar at 10ft. Gin.” Such a height Is practically unheard of for starting a pole vault event in New Zealand, and many a national championship has been won at lower heights than that. Wondering how the stranger would shape at such a height in long trousers, braces, shirt and all, the officials got the equipment ready and set the bar at the desired height. To their amazement the visitor, in his first attempt soared over the bar in effortless style and cleared 10ft. lOin. before retiring. His performance left all present gaping and Barraclough scratching his head. An explanation was soon forthcoming. It turned out that the stranger was David R. Weichert, of. Texas, who had cleared 14ft. 2in. in the American Olympic trials in 1936. It was no wonder, therefore, that he jumped like a champion. Weichert was not selected to represent the United States, as his opponents in the final trial were Sexton and Meadows, joint holders of the present world record of 14ft. llin. Weichert is a geophysicist employed by one of the petroleum companies carrying out investigations m Taranaki. He stated that he would appear at evening meetings in New Plymouth and would also compete in New Zealand championships, if eligible. If he does get intb form it seems likely that Barraclough’s New Zealand record of 12ft. 3in. will go by the board, and that bis national title might be annexed by the quiet American, who must still rank close to the world’s best pole-vaulters.