STAR ATHLETES ARRIVE

Hawera Star, Volume L, 10 February 1931, Page 9

STAR ATHLETES ARRIVE

AAIERIJOANS at hawera. ROTH HRT, SIMPSON AND KISER The three American athletes, who are to appear at the Hawera sports meeting to-morrow evening, reached Hawera early this afternoon and are guests at tho Central Hotel. They are Harlow P. Rothert, of Stanford University, a field events exponent and a great allround performer; George Simpson, of Ohio State University, a sprinter oi national fame, and Rufus W. Kiser, of the University of Washington, a celebrated mile runner and first-class performer over the hali-mil© and quaitei. Rothert, who is the captain of the team, is splendidly proportioned and appeals about 6ft 2in in height. He is '2f> years of age. Simpson, whose age is 22, is ’not m tall as the Stanford star, and his manner and tall* suggest a highly efficient mind. Kiser is of slighter build than either of the other* and looks the tyoical middle-distance man. Ha is a year older than the other two. “Everybody is wonderfully niid we've liadi a great reception,” said Rothert, when, in conversation with a “Hawera Star” reporter lie expressed the team's appreciation of the hospitality received everywhere on the present tour of the Dominion. One of the big fellow’s first remarks was an inquiry concerning S. A. Lay, of Hawera, whoso fame as a javelin thrower was known to the visitor, and whose acquaintance he was anxious to make. With Kiser lie was particularly interested in being informed that it was on the Hawera track in 1926 that the American, Lloyd Hahn, established the New Zealand and Australian record ol 1.561-5 fur the half-mile. Rothert, who has‘the States national collegiate record of 52ft- OJiu for the shot nut, has outdistanced the New Zealand and Australian record of 46ft o‘in at Masterton, Napier, Gisborne and Auckland on the present tour, lus best effort being 49ft oin at Auckland on Saturday. Ho is to appear in that event to-morrow, ceiling the centre champion, L. Hunt, 13ft Gin, and also the high jump ,in which he is at present clearing sft Sin. Simpson, who lias covered 100 yards in 9 2-ssec, has recorded 9 4-ssec both at Gisborne and Auckland on the present tour. He is regarded as America s outstanding man over the 220. yards, which at Napier, Gisborne and Auckland on recent dates lie has covered in 21 l-osec, which is three-fifths of a second faster than the New Zealand record, established by J. V. Scholz for a circular track in 1926. He is to appear in the 100yds and 220yds tomorrow night. Kiser's standard and present form may be gauged bv tbe fact that he has covered the mile" in 4.27, the half-mile in 1.59 and the 440yds in 52 2-ssec. during the present tour. He lias run a mile in 4min. 13sec. Kiser is to start in the 880 yards to-morrow night and may also take part in the 440yds, which takes place later on the programme 1 .