ATHLETICS

Southland Times, Issue 22728, 2 November 1935, Page 14

ATHLETICS

THE AMATEURS. THE SEASON OPENS.

(By

“Spike.”)

Fixtures. To-day: Otago and Southland Secondary Schools’ Athletic Championships at Rugby Park. January —: Visit of Australian athletes. January 25: Southland Track and Field Championships.. February 8: Otago Track and Field Championships. February 28 and 29: New Zealand Championships at Dunedin. At last! Limbs that have become somewhat creaky during the long winter months may now be taken down to Rugby Park and exercised till they regain the suppleness of yore; chests that have been happy hunting grounds for influenza germs can now be inflated with rich ozone; and the moth balls can safely be removed from running togs. In short, the track season is upon us. The air will soon be ringing with the bark of the starter’s pistol, the noisy chatter of worshippers at the shrine of physical fitness, and the cheerful swish of cold showers. In truth, a pleasant thought. Already many have begun their training, some being, if anything, a little too far advanced for so early in the season, but their enthusiasm is commendable. For the benefit of those who have already completed the stage of jogging the winter stiffness out of their joints I have arranged a training schedule which appears further down the column.

To-day the Southland and Otaga secondary school athletic championships take place at Rugby Park. This meeting should be of interest to all athletes and it is to be hoped there is a good attendance. It is perhaps too much to hope that the public of Invercargill will turn out in force to support the meeting—it is left to the country districts to give amateur athletics in Southland the support which it so richly deserves —but if the members n' the local clubs put in an appearance the proverbial “man and a dog” will at least have some company. It is welcome news that there ii to be a visit to Invercargill by Australian athletes this season. It is nearly two years since the Australians, Jack Metcalf, Ted Hampson and Bill Barwick, were seen in action here, but the fine performances put up on that occasion—especially the sprinting of Hampson and the jumping of Metcalf—are still vivid in the memory. The team this *ime will comprise: Howard Yates (Victoria), an outstanding sprinter; Gerald Backhouse (Victoria), a brilliant half-miler and miler; and F. Woodhouse, the best pole vaulter in the Commonwealth, a good high-jumper, and a fine all-round field event exponent.

' The High School Sports. The Boys’ High School sports last •week was, in many ways, a disappointing fixture. It had become natural to expect records to be shattered hither and yon with the abandon that has characterized the High School sports for the past five or six years; and when this did not eventuate at the last meeting a concerted moan went up from some quarters. It is only natural that a school should have its “lean P^ 11 ?^ 3 ’ however, though it is unfortunate that this dearth of good athletes should occur in the year when the Otago ana Southland secondary school championships are being held in Invercargill. ilt should be remembered though, that the conditions on the day were against good performances being registered. Rugby Park has a heavy track at any time and the showers that tell throughout the day did not tend to improve it. The strong east wind blowing also played its part in keeping down the standard of performances. The greatest surprise of the meeting was the defeat of Bill Donaldson, holder of the Otago junior 100 yards championship, in both the senior championship sprint events. The conditions on the day were certainly all against Donaldson—he is i lightly built runner with no great reserves of stamina—but even that cannot wholly explain his reversal of form. It would not surprise the writer if Donaldson were over-trained, for besides being one of the most promising junior athletes in Southland he is also one of the keenest and this enthusiasm may have led him to attempt too much in the way of preparation. A boy at school is almost always as fit as he ever need be and requires only to get into running trim. Whatever the cause of his lapse on the day, it would occasion me little surprise to see Donaldson carry off the 100 yards title at the meeting to-day. E. Boyd, who won both senior sprint dtles, is a powerfully built runner and found the conditions very much to his liking. His style is still rather awkward and he has yet to acquire proper balance, but Mr A. J. Deaker (coach) has worked wonders with him. He should be in the placings of both the hundred and furlong to-day. E. Allison, who filled second place in the 100 yards senior championship, is another promising runner. He has a neat action and when fully developed should be an acquisition to any club. The “find” of the day—if he can be classed a “find” when Mr Deaker has probably had a jealous eye cocked on him for some time—was G. McLachlan, who won .he quarter, half-mile and mile senior championship events. A cousin of the famous Lachie McLachlan, the . ligh School boy appears to have much of his relative’s talent as a middle distance runner. McLachlan’s times were nothing out of the ordinary, but his performances stamped him as one who should go far. He has a splendid action: a long, free stride and carries himself well; while his finishing powers are reminiscent of those of Paul McLauchlan. McLachlan is competing in the quarter and half to-day and should bring at least one victory to his school.

T. Pedlar and P. Mclnnes, winner and runner-up respectively in the junior championship sprint titles, gave good performances and should be prominent to-day. Pedlar was a trifle lethargic in getting off the mark, but this fault will doubtless have been corrected by now. The outstanding runner in the junior middle distance events was J. Hargest. Hargest won the quarter and would have vzon the half-mile championship but for woeful lack of judgment. He has plenty of ability and more should be heard of him. Features of the meeting were the enthusiasm of the competitors in the handicap events and the good work of the masters who acted in official capacities. Particular mention must be made of the zealous Press stewards. A reporter’s task at such a big meeting is no light one—especially when he has to have his report in at an early hour—but a helpful Press steward makes all the difference. The reporters at the High School meeting were well served in tliis direction. Pithy Pars. Ness Polson has forsaken the track tor rowing. E. Dorman is the new secretary for the Amateur Athletic body in Southland. Bert Brandford has been training hard and is already nearly fit. If anything, he is a trifle early with his preparation. Brandford demonstrated his fitness by winning the half-mile event and coming third in the 100 yards, off scratch, at the Labour Day sports at Rugby Park. H. Armour, who broke the record for the javelin throw at the Boys’ High School sports, is a promising young field athlete. His throw of 126 ft. Ilin, was particularly good when the strong wind blowing at the time is taken into consideration. It is understood that Jack Mills, a student at Canterbury College, is joining up with the Invercargill Club for the summer vacation. Mills will be a decided acquisition to the club. While at the Southland Boys’ High School he won the junior athletic championship and was an outstanding sprinter. A knee injury has kept him off the tracks for a long period, but when he gets into form he should be claiming the attention of the judges. To-day marks the close of Mr G. McAnergney’s term as secretary to the local amateur athletic body. Mr McAnergney has rendered invaluable assistance to the sport and it is to be regretted that he has resigned his position. The secretary’s berth is no sinecure, his duties are the most onerous of all the officials, but Mr McAnergney never permitted secretarial worries to intrude on his unfailing cheerfulness, with the result that he will be missed in more ways than one. A TRAINING SCHEDULE. A good many have already begun light training and for their benefit the following training schedule has been compiled. The tables are for the first and second weeks of this month. In each case Friday has been omitted as a day for rest, or, at the most, light setting-up exercises. The tables for the third and fourth weeks of the month will appear in this column next Saturday week. Details of the schedule are as follows: Sprinters. Monday: Three starts at threequarter effort; two starts full effort; 250 yards at half effort. Tuesday: Swing through an easy 440 yards; rest; then try 220 yards at half effort. Wednesday: Swing through an easy quarter. Three starts at three-quarter effort; two starts full effort; then a furlong at half effort. Thursday: Three hundred yards at half effort. Saturday: Five minutes skipping; 300 yards at half effort. Quarter Milers. Monday: Four starts at three-quarter effort; three hundred yards at half effort. ... Tuesday: Five minutes skipping; six hundred yards at quarter effort. Wednesday: Two starts at threequarter effort; two starts full effort; 220 yards at half effort. Thursday: Three hundred yards at half effort. . . Saturday: Five minutes skipping; 300 yards at half effort. Half Milers.

Monday: Run one mile (threequarter mile at quarter and 440 yards at half effort); stride through 220 yards at half effort. '

Tuesday: Stride through 660 yards at quarter effort. Wednesday: One mile at half effort for style. Thursday: Half-mile at quarter effort; rest; then 75 yards fast, concentrating on knee lift and arm swing; rest; 440 yards at level speed for each furlong. Saturday: Stride through 440 yards; fifty yards at full effort; 880 yards three-quarter effort at level pace for each furlong. Milers. ‘

Monday: One mile half effort, level pace each lap. Tuesday: Jog 880 yards; rest; stride 220 yards at half effort. Wednesday: Three mile walk, trotting 50 yards in each half mile. Thursday: Sprint 50 yards 'twice at three-quarter effort, once at full effort; jog 660 yards. Saturday: Jog 220 yards; sprint 40 yards, three-quarter effort twice; rest; 880 yards at half effort. Hurdlers.

Same table as that for sprinters with light hurdling for style, each Wednesday and Saturday. High Jumpers. Monday: Five minutes skipping; Three jumps at quarter effort; six jumps at half effort. Tuesday: Two miles walk, trotting occasionally. Wednesday: Body building exercises or throwing. Thursday: As for Tuesday. Saturday: Five minutes skipping; two jumps at quarter effort; three jumps at half effort and three at three-quarter effort. Pole Vaulters. Table as for sprinters with six vaults at half effort, for style, each Tuesday and Saturday. Shot Putters. The table for shot putters, discus throwers etc., is the same as that for sprinters, with light work, for style, every Wednesday and Saturday. AROUND THE PROVINCE (By “Searchlight.”) The Sports Meetings. Otautau.—October 28. Wairio.—December 21. Edendale.—December 25. Balfour.—-December 26. Limehills.—December 26. Mataura.—December 28. Tuatapere.—January 1. Port Molyneux.—January 1. Kelso.—January 1. Browns.—January 29. Riversdale.—Easter Saturday. The Otautau sports on Monday were an even greater success than last year. There is every indication that this will be one of the best seasons for cash athletics for some years. Not only have most of last year’s crack runners reappeared, but a number of young athletes of considerable promise are competing. The performances at Otautau on Monday were very creditable for so early in the season, runners being far from at their best as yet. There was a good field for the 75 yards handicap and fairly keen races. D. J. Smith, of Orepuki, won both his heat and the final in good style, so that good things may be looked for from him this season. The Sheffield saw a strong field in the heats. A limit man, A. McPherson, won the first heat with M. Sutherland (2 yards) second. Myles Forde, who was such a prominent runner two years ago, is still kept fairly well back and off four yards just failed to be a finalist.

T. Valli, of Wairio, was in good form on Monday, winning his heat off 5 yards from D. McCo’kindale. In the third heat A. K. Jackson (8J yards) showed that he is improving in form. D J. Smith, of Orepuki, was a trier and came in second.

The final was expected to be very close, but although it was interesting enough it resulted in a clear-cut win for M. Sutherland, who showed himself every inch a champion by winning with a yard to spare. Valli was the early leader, but Sutherland drew level at half-way and soon had the race in his keeping. There was a great race for second place betwen Valli and Jackson. The latter was going very well at the finish and failed by inches to draw up with Valli.

With a field of 18 ready to start for the 220 the society wisely decided that the race be divided into two separate events. The day’s racing was hard enough and several of the competitiors would have dropped out had they been called upon to run in heats and final of the 220 as well.

M. Sutherland came to the fore again in the first race of the 220, winning from scratch with great dash. In the second race Jack Gallagher’s win was a popular one for he has been running consistently during the last two seasons without collecting many placings. The finish in this race was one of the best of the day, Gallagher winning very narrowly and A. B. Sutherland and E. W. Fish almost deadheating for second and third.

Preston’s Running. Wally Preston, the distance runner from Whangarei who has made a name for himself in the north, arrived in Southland last week and was a strong competitor at Otautau on Monday. His opening appearance in the south was most impressive and beyond doubt his running will add a great deal of interest to distance events during the holiday sports circuit. Preston started his day’s running in the half-mile, in which he was disappointing. In fact it was rather a poor race all through for of the large field to face ' the starter only about four finished. Preston was evidently saving himself, however, for he came out and won the mile race shortly after. Running in both events frorr scratch, he fairly early showed that he had the mile in his keeping. In fact, his style appears to be to take the lead about one-third of the way from home and stay there. He is fairly erect when running, but has an easy style. It appears that he sets himself to cover the course in a certain time rather than tail the field (as many scratch men do) and come with a hard sprint at the end. Certainly his time of 4 min. 38 sec. was exceedingly creditable. He won without much effort. H. Buchanan, a Southland distance runner possessed of both stamina and pace, was second in the mile race. He had 25 yards start on Preston and was near the leader before the end of the second lap, though giving away some fairly long handicaps. Probably he pushed himself rather much at the start; at all events he faded out in the third lap, but was in the picture in the last lap and was about three yards behind Preston at the end.

L. A. Wood (18 yards) also ran very strongly in the mile, but though in the sprint he - challenged Buchanan for second place the latter shook him off fairly easily. Buchanan will be a hard man to beat this season.

T. Daly (50 yards) ran well to win the half-mile in 2 min. 5 secs. H. A. Lawson and A. H. Brown, who filled second and third places, were fairly prominent last season. All things considered, the Otautau Athletic Society conducted the fixture most efficiently for the final event was run off promptly to time. The meeting has grown to become one of the biggest in the province, Monday’s programme being on a par with Tuatapere or Edendale. The grounds have been well caredfor by the society and both sprint and distance tracks were in good order for the meeting. The fine natural grandstand on the hillside presented a

picturesque appearance with its masses of flowering native shrubs. The Athletic Centre. It is hoped that the new president of the Southland Centre of the Athletic and Cycling Union, Mr W. Leitch, of Mataura, will gather his committee together on various occasions throughout the season and so strengthen the administration of the union’s activities in the Southland centre. There is a great deal of work to engage the minds of a keen committee. Satisfactory results cannot be obtained unless members have an opportunity of r eeting and discussing problems affecting their sports meetings. There is too much “sundry business” shelved until the annual meeting. The committee should deal with such matters throughout the year, leaving the most important matters until the annual gathering.

The Southland Athletic Sports League drew attention at the centre meeting to the rule whereby a referee should be appointed at each sports meeting in order to settle any doubtful decision or infringement of the rules by performers. The referee’s job is a most important one and calls for a prompt and accurate decision where an infringement or a dispute arises. He must keep a close watch on the performers, see that the judges are in correct position and that the finishing tape is correctly placed.