ATHLETICS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 302, 21 December 1937, Page 4

ATHLETICS

I WANGANUI DISCUS THROWER j DOMINION REPRESENTATIVE I CAN HE CLAIM A TITLE? 1 Official notification of his selection lor the team to represent the Dominion at the Empire Games to Oc held in Sydney early next year has been received by Mr. J. D. Morgan, ot Wanganui. A member of the Wanganui Amateur Athletic and Cycling Club, Mr. Morgan is well known locally for his success with the discus. Despite the comparatively short time he has been connected with the sport his record is none the less impressive. Morgan commenced his activities on the track in 1926, when he competed in sprint events. He was successful in this branch of athletics, but after a few years transferred his activities to Held events, concentrating on the hop, step and jump. In 1933 he won this event at the sub-centre championships. He was developing into a likely competitor in this section when he developed trouble with his feet, and was compelled to give it up. The jumping had its effect on his arches and for Some time he was incapacitated with the trouble.

Loath to give up the sport for which he had found such a strong attachment he turned his attentions to discus throwing. From the outset it was apparent that he was a competitor of no ordinary ability. In 1934, his lirst season in this sport, he recorded 105 ft., and was second to A. R. Adlam in the West Coast championships. In both years since then Morgan has annexed the West Coast title and has been runner-up at the national championships. He has been known as "Wanganui's unluckiest competitor." There have been times when he has thrown the circle of steel and wood distances comparable with the New Zealand record, only to fail miserably in actual competition and register yards less than when he has practised on his own ground. Nervousness has been the root of this trouble, but he is schooling himself to overcome this drawback.

His best perforamnee was in practice, when he recorded 145 ft. 6in. The New Zealand record stands at 144 ft. 6in. and was put up by the American, Harlow Rothert, in 1933. In competition Morgan has managed 137 ft. 3in., which, compared with his best in practice, reveals the part nervousness played. In light of the fact that the winner of the last Empire title recorded 136 f. 3in., it seems that the Wanganui man must have a fair chance of annexing the event at the Games next year. It is worthy of note that the figure put up by Morgan in the Games trial held in Wellington on December 11 bettered that of this year's Australian title winner by a good margin. This was the only event in which a New Zealander improved on the performance ot an Australian.

TRIAL FOR C. WELLER | This evening at Palmerston North, C. D. Weller will compete with A. J. Mackay, of Wellington, in a special six-mile trial race. Mackay ran A. R. Geddes, the winner of the trial held at Lower Hutt a short time ago, within six yards in the fast time of 31min. 2 2-ssec. In the light of this, it is apparent that Weller will have a fair trial when he meets the Wellington runner. It is hoped in Wanganui that G. Bills will be able to travel to Palmerston North to compete in the race, lulls has recently put up some creditable performances, ana is considered by a number to have the ability to | defeat both Weller and Mackay. WANGANUI CLUB The twilight meeting of the Wanganui Amateur Athletic and Cycling Club, which was to have been held on Thursday evening last, was postponed on account of the unfavourable weather and will be held this Thursday evening. The handicaps as published will stand.