AMERICAN ATHLETES.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1943, 29 December 1913, Page 3

AMERICAN ATHLETES.

TEAM IN TROUBLE. PARKER BREAKS DOWN AND POWER UNWELL. THE OTHERS SHAKY. SPRINTER'S BRILLIANT PERFORMANCE. At Athletic Park on Seturday afternoon the American athletes made their second appearance in Wellington. There wero o _ 'er 2000 peoplo present. Tho track was perfect, but a strong northerly wind interfered with the times. The day was one of misfortunes, but the visiting cracks gave a gcod sample of their quality. Parker added to his reputation as on*} of the greatest sprinters who lias ever found his way along here. He rail his he,it in tho 120 yards flat in 12 seconds without great effort. In .the final he ran through the company with a superb burst of speed, and was in front after going 100 yards. A few strides later ono of the muscles of his leg gavo way, but, though he eased up perceptibly, the terrific paco at which he was going carried him through in the van of the field, and he breasted the tape two yards ahead of Pool, to whom ho had conceded five yards. * Notwithstanding that his injury slowed him Hp considerably, Parker accomplished the distance in ihe brilliant time of II 3-ssec. The race was run \yith the wind. Parker's injury is such that ho may not bo fit to vun again during the tour. He was carried to the dressing xoom, and was limping badly when he reappeared. Power. Doing the Mile. Power rail in the mile, and though ho neither won nor finished well, he showed something of his true form.. Considering the wind, Power's pace was solid in the first three laps, and had ho been able to produce a finish he would have registered "gced time. His striding was beautiful. He appeared to have ample leg strength, but when he attempted to ring on a dash down the straight it was obvious that, tho powerful limbs wero propelling a sick man. Drive as lie wocld, his effort to overhaul the leading man failed. Ho struggled across the tape into tho arms of his confrere, Parker, and spent the remainder of tho afternoon feeling .considerably upset. It is unlikely that he will run again before tho team performs in Auckland.

Templeton's Vaulting-Pols Breaks. Tompleton, tap, is in trouble. He has broken the polo ho vaults with, and both liis ankles aro bad. His polevaulting was being watched with very keen interest, when the smashing of the pole suddenly closed the event. E. M'Keuzic, of Wairarapa, cleared the bar at 10ft. 3in. ■ (higher than he has ever been known to do previously). Tompleton made 10ft. Gin. look extremely simple, and the bar was then raised to lift. 6in. Prior to going out to .make the attempt to negotiate the big obstacle; Tcmpleton tested his pole, and it broke. He would not jump with the other poles available; they wer« illbalanced. M'Kenzio had warned Tompleton a little beforehand that the polo was unsafe, but the American used it in clearing the, 10ft. 6in. bar. Naturally, Tcmpleton was very annoyed becauso the pole broke, but it was fortunate that it snapped while he was not jumping. Templeton won the first heat of the_7oyds. hurdles in fine style; ho beat in this event, though tho Ne_\v Zcalancler was gaining at tho finish. In tho final of tho event Tompleton failed by a couple of yards to overhaul tho handicap men, Stagpoo'.e, of Palmerston North, and Doyle, Wellington. Caughev again. won the shotputting, though his attempt to break tho Australasian record failed. He is suffering from a bad knee. Two Dim Stars. None of the New Zealand men did anything startling. The sprinters—A. T. Duncan, of Wellington, and L. J. Mark, of Auckland—made it clear that, they aro rather dim stars. Mark, in fact, was disappointing. J. Wilton' ran well. . On the first day of the meeting lie seemed under-trajned, but liis condition on Saturday appeared to bo better. Ho could liavo given Mark a start and a beating in the 300 yds. event, and have treated Duncan likewise in the 220. In both races ho ran like a winner till near tho business end.' when the men on tho big marks showed that thoir allowances wero too goner-, oils. S. Hall, who has been reinstated in amateurism, ran a rather good mile, and F. J. Byrne was in fair form. Byrno is among tho gamcst finishers ever seen on a track, and on Saturday ho gave another sample of his dash down th" straight. Power passed him in the mile, but half-way un the straight Bvrne let loose a characteristic spurt, and just reached the American at the tape. Ho threw away tho mile and a half steeplechase by ducking under the tapo instead of breasting it. Ho was a street ahead of tho next man at the timo. The Over-Worked Quartet. It is regrettable that the completion of tho tour may soon become a problem. It is generally presumed that Parker will not bo lit to run for some time to come. Power has to bo rested. Templeton has no polo suitable for him to vault with, and both his ankles aro pretty bad. Caughcy's knee is so bad that in tho evening after Saturday's events ho could sparccly walk. Yet Caughey and Templeton will have to appear at Masterton this week, because Power and Parker are unfit to run. The team is too small, and has been absurdly overworked. With another man, or two men, in the combination, the members could liavo relieved one another somewhat. The run at Waikanao so soon after the sea voyage did the men no good. In the Soutli Island tho handicapping was ridiculously severe, and tho men wore asked to do too much. Parker, for instance, ran about eight times in one day at a southern meeting. Result: Saturday's breakdown. DETAILS OF THE EVENTS. 120 yds. Handicap. First heat: G. Parker (scr.), 1; M. Pool (oyds.), 2; P. Hubbard (6yds.), 3. Also started: P. J. M'lnerney (9yds.). Time, 12sec. Won by two yards without great effort. Second heat: L. Avery (Oyds.), 1; 11. Messengor (oyds.), 2: C. T. Young (7yds.), 3. 'Also started: L. J. Mark (Iyd.), A. T. Duncan (lyd.), L. Murphy (Byds.).' Timo, 12sec. Third heat: W. J. Bennett ftlyds.), 1; J. Wilton (4yds.), 2; If. Tait (I.2yds.), 3. Also started: G. P. Kcddell "(3yds.), R. M'Konzio (6yds.). Time, 12scc. Final. Parker, scr I Pool, oyds 2 Avery, 9yds 3 AVon in 11 S-flsec. by four feet. 220 yds. Handicap. R. .T. Adams, 12yds 1 h. Avery, 13yds 2 J. Wilton, 3yds 3 Also started: A. T. Duncan (scr.). G. P. Keddell (scr.), La Roche (17yds.), Williams (17yds.). Shields fSOyds.). J'ime, 23 3-ssee. A close, finish. * 300 yds, Handicap. F. C. Hubbard, 11yds 1

It. J. Adams, 20yds 2 J. Wilton, 3yds 3 Also started: L. J. Mark (scr.), W. J. Bennett (12yds.), R. Messenger (14yds.), Avery (16yds.), A. L. Tressider (18.ycls.j. Timo, 32 3-uscc. Fairly even race. Mark ran fifth. 300 yds. Boys' Raco. H. Hall, 30yds. 1 J. Louby, 15yds 2 L.' Constable (10yds.) also started. Half-milo Handicap. G.. H. Tressider, 50yds 1 G. Bilderbeck, 65yds 2 C. La Roche, 55yds 3 Also started: 11. W. Williams (35 yds.), S. Hall (35yds.), A. L. Tressider (45yds.), I?. J. Adams (50yds.), T. Cross (65yds.), T. J. Kerr (65yds,). Timo, 2min. 4sec. Ons Mile Handicap . S. Hall, 05yds 1 J. Power, scr 2 J. F. Byrne, 30yds 3 Also started: H. W. Williams (50 yds.), L. Cross (140 yds.). Time, 4min. 412-ssee. Won by 2 3-ssec. Byrne and Power were together at the tape. Two Miles Walk. G. Turner, 250 yds 1 D. Cashman, scr 2 Won easily. Time, 14min. 29sec. Cashman's time was 14min. 59 2-ssec. With the exception of Turner and Cashman, tho field walked poorly. 75 Yards Hurdles. First heat: R. R. Templeton (scr.), 1; B. Stagpoole (6yd5.),.2; G. P. Keddell (scr.), 3. Tho only starters. Time, !)4-ssec. Second heat: P. E. Dovlo (6yds.), 1; K. 'fait (10yds.), 2; *R. M'Kenzie (Gyds.), 3. C. E. Robertson (Byds.) also started. Time, lOscc. Final. Stagpoole, 6yds 1 Doyle, 6yds 2 Templeton, scr 3 Won by inches; Templeton two yards away. • Time, 9 4-ssec. $40 Yards Hurdles. R. Messenger, 15, yds ] P. E. Doyle, scr 2 G. P. Keddell, scr 3 Also started: R. M'Kenzie (scr.), C. E. Robertson (12yds.). A closo finish.. Time, 62 4-ssec. Mile and a Half Steeplechase, E. Donaldson, 130 yds. 1 S Hall, 45yds 2 Robertson, 150 yds 3 Also started: J. F. Byrne (10yds.), R. Ballantyue (130 yds.). Time, Bmin. 48 sec. Byrne finished first, but was disqualified for not breasting the tape. ' Broad Jump. F C. Hubbard (Ift. 9in.), 20ft. Bin. 1 V. 'P. Yotmg (3ft.), 20ft. 2in 2 W. J..Bennett (Ift. 9in.), 19ft. 3in. 3 ' Keddell (ser.), 18ft. 10in„ and R. M'Kenzie (Ift.), 19ft. liu., also competed. •Hop, Step, and Jump. W. J. Bennett (2ft. Gin.), 46ft 1 R. M'Kenzio (scr.), 42ft. 9in 2 Also competed: G. Heley, P. J. M'lnernoy, C. E. Robertson. Pole Vault. R. M'Kenzio (Ift. 3in.), lift. 6in. ... 1 R. R. Templeton (scr.), 10ft. 6in. ... -2 G. Harvey (9in.) also competed. Templcton's polo broke before he had completed the competition. Shot Putting. E. R. Caughey (scr.), 43ft. liu 1 J. M'Holm (6ft.), 42ft. Tin 2 W. J. Bennett (Tin.), 40ft. Bin. 3 Hammer Throwing. 7 J. M'Holm>(scr.),rl33ft. 4Jin. 1 E. R. Caughe.v (4ft.), 122 ft 2

THE VISITORS ENTERTAINED. Tho American athletes and visitors to tho sports carnival wero entertained oil Saturday evening by tho Sports Executive. ... . r Mr. A. Marryatt, president of the N.Z.A.A.A. presided. After the usua loyal toasts Mr. J. F. Atkins proposei tho toast of tho New Zealand Amateui Athletic Association, and referred to tilt enterprise displayed by. the council ill arranging the visit of the American athletes at a cost of over £600. Mr. Atkins trusted tho tour would prove a financial success, but jf otherwise the council could rely upon his assistance. Mr. J. H. Pollock, in replying, recounted tho difficulties experienced in financing amateur sport in tho Dominion. Ho trusted that leading citizens, after realising, per medium of Mr. Pcixotto's lectures what was done in America to provido recreation and playgrounds! for tho rising generation, would rise to the occasion. Healthful games and recreations in which children and youths could take part provided ail outlet for young people's surplus energy and animal spirits, and as tho manager of the American team explained, lessened a tendency towards delinquency and juvenile crime. The Visitors Not Machines. The chairman, in proposing tile health of the American visitors, paid a tributo to Mr. Peixotto and members of tho team, who were amateur sportsmen of the highest tyjje, and gentlemen both on and off the field. Ho regretted that a section of the Press and some of tho public seemed to consider tho lads (and they wore only youths) wero machines that could (irrespective of weather conditions or the state of their health as the result of a change of climate) come out day after day and break world's records. Mr. Marryatt felt that good sportsmen would agree that under adverse circumstances members of the .team had excelled themselves, inasmuch as they took part in contest after contest, although on some 1 occasions overtaxing themselves to please tho public. Everyone , would regret tho accident that betel Mr. Parker, the sprinter of the team, and liopo that, it would prove less serious than it at present appeared. The speaker referred to tho assistance given his association by tho American Amateur Athletic Union in the selection and dispatcli of the team. Ho wished specially to thank Mr. J. E. Sullivan and Mr. John Elliott, president of the Pacific Coast Association, also Mr. W. Unmack, whoso untiring work had made tho tour possiblo. Mr. Marryatt said that in his experience tho present visitors were tho most sportsmanlike of any athletes ho had met, and he referred to specific cases; that had come under his notico wherein the visitors had gone to considerable trouble to instruct and assist local runners. The toast was enthusiastically received. The Visitors' Manager. Mr. Peixotto was received with applause when he rose to respond, lie said he and tho members of the team wero trying to smile, though they felt a bit heavy at heart at the accident to Parker, following a series of minor mishaps to tho other members of tho team, so that they wero moro like a lot of cripples at the present time than athletes, lie hoped, however, that- their star of fortune would diango and the men would show to t'ho host advantage before they left New Zealand. At least they would do their best, that is all they could do. (Applause.) He said some were disposed to blame tho members of the N.Z.A.A.A. Council for tlio 220 track being short, but ho and his men not feel badly, and he realised how hard the members of tho council had worked to make tlio meeting a success, for he had seen'them at it. Ho did not blame them for taking

the word of a licensed surveyor. His only recommendation was that they gei

:i cinder track and linvo it. permanently srivoyed. tlion such tronUos could not. occur. (Applause.) He wished to thank the members of Ihs council, especially

Mr. Xlarryalt and Jlr. CusacU;. for.their untiring efforts to give tlieleairlia time while in New Air. G. li. Parker (Tracy, •'Cai.) -also tosponded, and" Sir.■ K. 1!. C'jiiijihoy (Ukisli, Cal.) hrieflv replied, wJiile .Mr. J. Power (Boston)' made a racy spoecli and received' a groat recc]ition, Air. Power said he hoped while in New Zealand to equal his best time for the mile, 4min. 18 2-osec.. ,and perhaps to excel it. An excellent programme of songs ami recitations was presented, the following contributing:— Messrs, J.' Dykes, Rcid, Ellory, Messenger, Keesing, Halligan, White,. Mr, W. M'Laughlin presided at t'ho piano. A lengthy list of toasts was honoured.. NEW ZEALAND TEAM. FOR AUSTRALASIAN CIJ \MPIO\1 SHIPS. .■■■■;./■ At the social lieH on Saturday 'evening the selectors, Messrs, C. E. Bridge and W. H. Pollock, annouced that-- tin; following men Jiad been selected to represent New Zealand at tho Australasian amateur championship athletic, meeting to be held at Melbourne on January 24 and 26Distance events Dormer (Auckland); hurdles and jumps,' Keddell (Invercargill); walks, W, Gashinan (Wellington). A fourth man is to bo sent, and at present the decision tests between M'Holm, jhot-pntter, and J. Beatson, distance runner, both of Dunedin. 1 ~..