ATHLETICS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 73, Issue 314, 11 July 1930, Page 5

ATHLETICS

OVERSEAS VISITORS TOUR OF DOMINION. SELECTION OF THE TEAM. Further information received from its American representative (Mr C. George Krogness) on the question of a tour of New Zealand next track season by American athletes was discussed at the meeting of the council of the New ' Zealand Amateur Athletic Association on Monday evening. The opinion was expressed by the chairman (Mr H. Austad) that the matter was one of urgency. A sub-committee was appointed to submit ft report, and it is hoped that very shortly definite arrangements will be able to be made for a visit from overseas champions in the coming season. The letter from Mr Krogness was in reply to a letter forwarded by the secretary, Mr L. A. Tracy, under date of May 19. Mr Krogness mentioned, at the commencement, that the two greatest college track and field meetings in America had just been held—the Intercollegiate Amateur Athletic Association of America gathering and the National Collegiate Athletic Association's championship meeting, both of which had produced some remarkable performances. He enclosed newspaper reports of the meeting, and after discussing one or two of the performances, continued: —•

Wykoff Not Available. “Frank Wykoff, champion sprinter of the University of Southern California, would not be available for a New Zealand tour as he is still in college, and his coach would want him for training next February and March for the summer campaign here. But George Simpson (who has been credited with sensational times) may be. . . John Morrison, the quarter-miler of Stanford, also runs a furlong. I think he should be a good man for you at those distances. The rest runners so far shown this year are Russell Chapman, of Bates College in Maine, who won the half-mile at the I.C.A.A. meet, and George Bullwinkle, of the College of the City of New York, who won the mile and was second in the half-mile. He was the track sensation of the I.C.A.A. meet. I do not know of anyone who is a real three-mile runner at present. I presume you would want a man from a mile to a three-

mile to compete with Randolph Rose, and I would like to find him for you if I can. The best one of whom I know at present is Harold Manning, of Wichita, Kansas, who won the twomile run in Chicago last Saturday in

9min. 18.1 sec, establishing a new N.C.A.A. record.

World’s Discus Champion. “The man for the field events, in my judgment, would be Eric C. W. Krenz, captain of the Stanford University track team, and world’s record discus thrower. While Krenz took second to Paul Jessup, of Washington, at Chicago meet in the discus, he always, when? right, can beat Jessup or any other discus thrower I have ever seen. He is a perfect picture when in action. He is a charming gentleman, and he is an honour student at Stanford in all his studies. I am confident that ho would be an attraction at all your meets, and that he would be superior to any ordinary track man. In America he always keeps the spectators interested and on their ‘toes,’ ever expecting his next throw will be another world’s record.”

Mr Krogness stated that he talked with Krenz about a month ago concerning the possibility of a tour to New Zealand, and Krenz said that if invited he would be very much interested, and would be glad to make the trip unless something in his work should interfere, inasmuch as he finished at. Stanford in the middle of June. "I spoke to Krenz when I did,” added Mr Krogness, “because I had a sort of premonition that Australia might make a bid for him.” Question of Expense. The chairman (Mr H. Austad) suggested a team comprising a sprinter, middle-distance runner, or distance runner. Mr V. Hugo asked whether the council intended to limit the team to/ two men. It was pointed out that a tour would cost £5OO a man, and it was not

thought it would be advisable to invite more than two unless a particularly “star” third man was available. Mr Hugo said he though the field events branch of the sport would benefit in New Zealand as a result of a visit by a champion from America. Field events were not catered for in New Zealand to the extent of other events. Mr Austad said he agreed with Mr Hugo, but the question of expense had to be considered. At any rate, he thought the council should make definite arrangements at once to invite two athletes. There was some talk of Australia getting Paavo Nurmi, and perhaps arrangements could be made with the Australian authorities to bring the famous Finn to New Zealand also. At the suggestion of the secretary (Mr L. A. Tracy) a sub-committee, comprising Messrs Austad, Bright, Hugo, was appointed to bring down a report regarding a team for New Zealand, consideration, in addition to the athletes named by Mr Krogness, to be given to the Canadians, Edwards and Ball, South African athletes, and the possibility of inviting an Australian .cyclist.