AMERICAN ATHLETES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18755, 8 January 1923, Page 3

AMERICAN ATHLETES

FINE DISPLAY IN WELLINGTON. (Pisa United Pbess Association.) WELLINGTON, January 6. Close on 70jU interested spectators witnessed the competitions between the American athletes —Kirksoy, Kroguess, and Mcrchant —and Iho best athletes of the Weilington Centre of the Now Zealand Amateur Association on Athletic I’urk to-day. -the visitors put up a splendid performance, though in the sprint events they did not run into first place. T hey have proved themselves to be true sports, particularly in coaching the New Zealanders who were to oppose them. . Ale roll out scorer! heavily in the ftoid events, winning the hammer-throwing with a pertomiajieo of 154 ft Tin (in an exhibition throw he covered- 155 ft, Tin) beating the Australian and New Zealand record. Munro, who received a handicap of 46f1, was second. Merchant also won the long jump, covering 22ft 9in, with Kroguess (2211 Spiij second. Merchant was first in the javelin throwing (153 ft 4in), Munro (145 ft Biin) being second. In throwing the disous Aliinro covered 125 ft and Merchant 124tt. In tllo sprint, events the visitors showed great speed and beautiful action, but were meeting champions. In tlie 120 Hurdles Invitation event Wilson just boat Kroguess after a splendid race, both taking the hurdles simultaneously. The time was 15ser. In the 100 Yards Invitation Handicap Paris (3yds) just beat Kirkscy (scr) in lOsec. In the 220 Yards race Kirkeey (scr) won his heat in brilliant fashion in 22 3-ssec. but in the final, Tracey (Iyd) and Hill (14yds) just beat him. Time, 22500. The relay race resulted as follows;—Victoria College (Wellington) 1. America 2. Kirksey. the last man. was blocked. The gathering was a great success. The most outstanding feature of the meet ing was the sportsmanlike altihrle of the visitors. When Kirksoy found that he had beaten the pistol in the 100 Yards Race and had thereby gained an advantage he pulled up instantly, enabling the starter to recall the field before the runners had gone far enough to prejudice their chances. Had Kirksey continued ho would assuredly have won. In (he 230 Yards Race Kirksey gained rapidly and looked like a winner, but in the last 50yds Tracey came away with a sensational hurst of speed, while Kirksey seemed momentarily to falter. KirkBey could only got third. Kroguess is a wonderful high jumper. He gives a peculiar little jump half way in his run, and (hen, increasing his speed to the bar, leaps in the air. When above the bar he shoots his legs out similar to a pole vaulter, crossing the bar in a horizontal position. Then with a clover twist of his body he faces downwards, dropping on his hands and knees. He hurdles well, of course, but ho was up against the chani--pion, Wilson, at his. best. Saturday’ exhibition was Ulc finest hurdling seen in Wellington for years. Kroguess jumped well in the long jump, but Merchant shoots through the air like a shot from a catapult. In one fine effort the judges decided that it was net jump because they said his bands touched the ground. back where Merchant landed, but to many it appeared to be a fair jump. Merchant gave a revelation in hammer throwing. The trio should improve the Now Zealand standard of athletics when they strike their true form, and the records will go in other events. A great race took place in iho Three Milo Handicap, Rose (Masterton) winning from scratch in 15min 15sec, with Barclay (60yds) second, and Nalder (Christchurch) unplaced. In the Mile Race Walls (115yds) won, and F. Rose (120yds) was second. The other events resulted as follows-: 880 YARDS.—Ailcheson (65yds) 1, M’Kinley (30yds) 2. ICO YARDS.—M. Leadbetter (syds) 1, 11. Sergeant. (10yds) 2, S. H. Bird (Byds). 3. Time. lOsec. LADIES’ 75 YARDS RACE (3 heats and final). —Miss P. Dawson (scr) 1, M. Hay vice (scr) 2. M. M’Partland (6yds) 3. Time, 9 4-sec. LADIES’ RELAY RACE (440yds).Misses M'Portland. Hayvico, and Dawson 1. Misses Meldmm. Wilkins, and Dir Chateau 2. Misses Bennett (2), and Cox 3. Time, 59 2-ssec. ONE MILK WALK—Hickling (scr) 1, M’Kenzio (70yds) 2 Several bicycle races were held during the day. ,