ATHLETIC NOTES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20288, 22 December 1927, Page 16

ATHLETIC NOTES.

BY AiTATEUE. OLSEN’S BAD LUCK. The luck was all against the Otago team, in the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Championships (says the Christchurch bun), and it was sheer bad luck that robbed C. M. Olsen of his half-mile title. After the race Olsen, who is a fine sportsman, smiled and said nothing, but his part in the meeting was very interesting. He was unable to spare the time to journey north with the team, and had to come to Christchurch by car on Friday. With the handicap_ ol this long cramping ride, Olsen was running well, in the ruck, when he was accidentally bumped by another competitor. The jolt sent him into a lino flag, which throw him off his balance and almost turned him round. Olsen lost 20 yards, but he went on with the race. In the circumstances, only an outstanding champion could have run into second place as he dick Ho might be the hardest man to beat in the Australasian championship. H. D. MORGAN. The sympathy of all athletes will be extended to H. D. Morgan, who came to grief at the New Zealand championship meeting. A medical examination revealed the fact that the tendon above the heel was completely broken, and this necessitated a surgical operation. Morgan’s leg is in plaster of paris now, and he will probably not be able to get about for some six weeks. The loss of such a fine athlete and such a good sport will be severely felt in Otago. DECIDEDLY PROMISING. When young J. J. Morris, of Otago, ran second to J, W. Savidan, of Auckland, in the New Zealand championship mile, and registered better than standard time (says the Christchurch Sun), the proudest person in New Zealand was his mother, who was watching from the stand, having travelled all the way from Dunedin to see him run. In the last part of the race Morris chopped in front of A. D. Priestly, of Wellington, causing him to lose his stride completely, but it was sheer inexperience that made him do that. Morris has been running for a season only, and it not likely to make that mistake again. He is only 18 years old, and it looks as if he is going to develop into one of the greatest milers in the Dominion. And that’s saying something. A POTENTIAL CHAMPION. Wellington is fortunate in possessing a potential champion of the track to carry on, if not better, the traditions of the noted athletes of the past (says the Dominion). W. Killeen, a 15-year-old lad at present attending the Marist Brothers’ Primary School at Newtown, has already built up a formidable record. He started running at the age of 11, but it remained for him to reach nearly 13 years before he set out on his real winning career. A list of his achievements during the past two years is as follows: — 1925: Preston Cup, Labour Day Sports; first 100yds primary schools’ - championhip. 1926: Blundell Cup—-February 2, 100yds primary schools* championship; first 220yds, primary schools’ championship, Preston Cup—Labour Day sports,_ first 100yds primary schools’ first 220yds primary schools’ championship. Blundell Cup—November 1, 100yds primary schools championship; second 220yds primary schools’ championship. 1927: Labour Day sports -Preston Cup. first 100yds primary schools’ championship; first 220yds primary schools’ championship. In addition to the foregoing Killeen assisted his school , team in winning the primary schools 1 relay race at the last four meetings mentioned. He was one of the New Zealand representatives in the ‘ Soccer * test match played at Auckland against the Australian schoolboys during the recent football season. Remarkable interest was taken in the race, and Watson was encouraged’ on the way by yells of “Go on, Maori.” Near Footecray an old lady who was dancing with excitement as the cyclists approached, rushed out into the road to greet them, and hit him over the back with her umbrella. After Oppcrman finished at Melbourne, the crowd rushed the track, and both at Warrnambool and Melbourne the competitors were mobbed by the crowds. , Already the first prize of £250 has been guaranteed for another race next year, and Watson considers that it is likely to become an annual fixture. Opperman is going to France for the Grand Tour de France, and there is a possibility of Watson being sent to represent New Zealand.

CYCLING NOTES. A meeting of members of the Otago Amateur Cycling Club was held last Thursday evening. Mr Johnston, who presided over a large gathering, spoke highly of the- progress made by the club. “ While members continue to _ work with the enthusiasm and co-operation at present in evidence the club cannot fail to attain success, and bids fair to make Dunedin one of the Dominion’s leading amateur cycling centres,'” he added.— (Members: “Hear, hear.”) Cycling was indulged in quite a lot here at one time, but “ old-timers ” say that public interest was gradually killed by the habit of riders “crawling” over the former stages of a race to finish up the home stretch with a “ burst.” There is no likelihood of such things recurring, however, as those participating in the sport to-day are young and keen, and ride hard throughout to obtain the enjoyment derivable from clean, healthy pastimes. A pleasing feature to all present at the club’s meeting on Thursday last was the keen interest taken in the club’s affairs by Eddie Palmer, who, along with Phil. Traill, was unanimously elected to the committee.

Now that the Summer Time Act Is in force the rime for training at the Caledonion Ground’ should be extended at least an hour. The different clubs i using the ground should form a deputation to wait on the Caledonian Society to see what can be done in the matter.

Of late Hugh Ockwell, who was one of the local cracks last season, has not been riding at all well, and appears to have developed an ugly action of his legs. If Ockwell would concentrate on keeping his knees as near as possible to the top bar of his cycle he may find an improvement.

The fact that some 4000 enthusiastic spectators gathered to witness the finals of the New Zealand cycling title events at English Park last Saturday week must be encouraging to cyclists throughout the Dominion.

The Cycling Club members owe a debt of gratitude to Mr W. M'Lauc-hlan for the handsome donation received and for the interest he takes in the welfare of the club.

Syd Brcmford, with eight points, is at present leading for yearly possession of the Dewar Cycling Cup. Several other riders hold second place with six points. This is a very handsome trophy, presented by Messrs W. Scoular and Co., and is at present in the hands of W. J. Templeton, last season’s winner, who gained most points for open handicap races during the year. As it is the desire of ail cyclists to win this prize, the donors have done much towards quickening the pace of all the local riders. Xo doubt before long amateur cycling will have spread throughout Otago. A few days ago an amateur athletic club was formed in Oamaru, and the local cyclists hope that the words “and cycling” will shortly be added. Mosgiel residents are keenly interested in the Dunedin cyclists, so the prospects for the future are most alluring. Sportsmanship—yes, in every sense of the word —was displayed by Keith Foster and Eddie Lamb in the Colae-Melbourne amateur road race recently. Foster, from the 37min mark, proved an easy winner, and. ns Lamb afterwards declared, could have, at any stage of the race, ridden away from him. Seeing Lamb was about

all in, Foster stuck to him, thus enabling, him not only to finish the race out, but gain second place. Lamb turned to the large crowd present to sec the finisti. and open-heartedly told what Foster had done. To do so under the circumstances says much in Lamb's favour as a sportsman, One of the first to congratulate Eddie was his cousin. IL W. (Fatty) Lamb, Australia’s crack amateur. Cyril Foster (brother of the winner), from scratch, made fastest time (4br 29imn SOsee) in tiiis race, and so won the Victorian amateur road title. Lukcy, the classy New Zealand cyclist, was also a competitor, but. unfortunately, punctured early.

The Otago Centie of the Xtw Zealand Amateur Athletic Association is to ho congratulated Hi;*- the Christchurch Sun) on its very sporting act in finding the money to send to the Xew Zealand

championships a number of youngsters, for the experience that they gained will be very valuable to them. Otago should be able to produce a really great team ill a year or two. if the promise shown by its colts is fulfilled. . The Wellington cyclist, J. Carswell, who was unfortunately prevented from competing at the New Zealand championships at Christchurch recently, performed with credit at the Wellington evening meeting on Saturday last. W. J. Batstone and E. G. Sutherland had a great tussle in the pole vault at the national meeting. Both cleared the bar at 10ft 8 5-Bin, but could do no better. The bar was then lowered an inch to decide the honour of champion, and this time Sutherland failed.

NOTES. Several Otago enthusiasts will make the journey to Wellington to see the contests between the pick of the Dominion’s athletes and those of Australia for championship honurs. Australia is strongly represented, but the men from the States' will find that they are up against worthy competitors. New Zealand has probably never been represented by a stronger team, and it is confidently expected that the honours will lie with the Dominion at the finish. A copy of the programme for the twenty-seventh annual gathering of the Miller’s Flat Athletic Sports Club has reached me. The sports will be held next Thursday, December 29. A big programme has been arranged, and patrons should have the pleasure of spending a very enjoyable day. . Considerable interest was taken in the appearance of E. Keskinen, of Queensland, who has represented Finland at the Olympic Games, at an evening sports meeting in Wellington on Saturday. His winning effort for the Javelin Throw was 169 ft lin, E. G. Sutherland, of Wellington, being second with a throw of 151 ft lOin. Keskinen also won the Hop, Step, and Jump, while Flitting the Shot was won by F. Munro, Keskinen being second. The Canterbury Centre has decided to recommend to the New Zealand Council, that the 440 Yards New Zealand Championship be run in heats, and that lanes be provided. At an enthusiastic meeting last week it was decided tnat an athletic club be formed, to be known ns the Greytown Fire Brigade Amateur Atheltic Club. At a recent sports meeting held in Melbourne. Max Kroger (Geelong Harriers) broke the Australasian record for the pole vault, clearing lift 74in. Young “ Lachie ” M’Lachlan, son of the great athlete of other days, shows promise of developing into a great runner (says the Christchurch Sun). Eight on the finishing post he passed G. L. Austin and gained fourth place in the New Zealand half-mile, and that made his time a fraction better than 2raiu 1 3-ssec. _ The Christchurch Star states that it is understood that G. Nicol and W. E. E. Cordery, who have been selected for the New Zealand team at the Australian and New Zealand championship meeting on the condition that they pay their own expenses, will make the trip to Wellington.

Parker, the brilliant Australasian title holder, will bo hard to beat in the 100 Yards event at the championships in Wellington. Grehan. the Queenslander, will probably secure the furlong title, as his present record is 21 3-sscc. Commenting on the Three-mile Walk at the New Zealand championship meeting, the judge (Mr E. Twyneham) said that Lankcy was the only competitor with any style at all. Cabot had the wrong hip swing and no stride; otherwise he would be a good walker. Wilson had not the stamina for a three-mile event, and the Canterbury entrants were outclassed. It was announced at a meeting of l lie Canterbury Centre of the New /.calami Amateur Athletic Association last week that (lie profit on ihc New Zealand championship iineting would be about £6O or £7O. The gate receipts at Lancaster Park niuoiiiueil to £176 and at English Par!; to £137. making a total of £273.

M. O'Brien will represent Queen-land in held events at the coming athletic championships in Wellington. A report slate, that until lie strained his arm at practice recentiy. he was' doing very well. and hammer. (I'Fri'ii won the Hanimor Throwing Championship of Queensland this year.