The Wonder Boy

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 257, 20 January 1928, Page 10

The Wonder Boy

ST. JOSEPH’S COLLEGE, SYDNEY, IS JUSTLY PROUD OF ITS BRILLIANT SPRINTER, JIMMY CARLTON

OLYMPIC GAMES “PROBABLE" That amazing Sydney schoolboy, Jimmy Carlton, who ran clean away from some of the finest sprinters who

have donned a shoe in the Antipodes at the recent Australasian meeting an Wellington, looks to he a certainty for selection to represent Australia at the Olympic Games next July. Carlton, who is IS years of age, has been senior champion of St. Joseph’s College, Sydney, for

three years in succession. Last year, at the great public schools’ combined sports, he slashed three records to pieces, streaking through the hundred in ten dead (old record 10 3-10 s.), the furlong in 21 4-5 (old record, 22 3-5); ;md the quarter in 50 1-5 (old record, 51 1-5). He has been timed to run a hundred in 9 4-ss.and by next July ought to be good for that figure and a bit more. RUGBY THREEQUARTER Carlton is one of the fastest men playing Rugby Football in Sydney. In seven matches for his college last year he scored 21 tries, an average of three a match. Carlton, who is studying for a legal career, is said to be one of the best-liked •hoys who have even been at St. Joseph's. He was awarded this year the gold medal for good conduct, by a vote of the pupils. > By winnig the 100 metres at the Australian Olympic trials almost immediately after stepping off the ship that carried him back from his triumphs in New Zealand, Carlton has clinched his chances of a trip to Amsterdam, and has proved himself a champion of champions. The most interesting feature of his running is his starting. Once on the way to the tape, the big New South Welshman impresses more as a strong, rugged sort of sprinter than as h. neat, graceful runner, but he has no Aids to Getting There Quicker other than his long stride. METHOD OF STARTING Mis method of starting, however, is well worthy of discussion, because it is different from the style that is taught in New Zealand, and it raises a big question as to what is the best way of getting out of the holes. A Wellington critic remarked on Carlton that he seemed to falter at the start, blit the •• falter” is caused by the manner in which he makes his first two steps, and if Carlton can .perfect his starting as did the man from whom he learned it, he will become the fastest sprinter in the world.

Carlton starts in the Australian “spread” style, and he was quite willing to demonstrate to the “Sun’s” special representative after his races in Wellington. Asked if his method w ere similar to that of the world champion professional, Arthur Postle, Carlton said that he endeavoured to follow out Postle’s methods to the letter. ‘They have their contentions,” he said, when asked if the start were favoured greatly in Australia, “but I am certain that the spread start is the best for a big man.” POSTLE’S METHOD

Here is what Postle has written about his method of starting, and what Carlton repeated almost word for word: .Make the hole for your front foot about 12 inches behind the mark which indicates the starting point. This makes it convenient to place the hands on the mark without being cramped or uncomfortable. Make the hole for the back foot nearly straight behind, the front one being just a trifle to the right. Place the toes of fore part of your shoes, firmly, one in each hole, and. leaning forward, place your fingers on the ground about a foot farther forward than where your front foot is placed, and with a spread of about two feet between the hands. The whole weight of the body, when in a ‘set’ position, waiting for the pistol shot, should be taken by the front foot and hands. Turn the fingers of the right hand in and rest on the knuckles. It affords a firmer and more rigid rest, and. as the first movement takes place with the right leg, the right hand takes a greater strain than does the left, so I believe a slight advantage is gained on account of the more stubborn resist-

ance and greater strength of the hand when held in this manner. The kneejoint of the back leg should be almost

straight, and should take no weight at all. The head should bo held slightly Up. but wthout strain, and your eyes uking into the ground about lour feet in from of where your hands are reslThe first step should he made V »t e. so that the foot lands about two t • to the right of what would be in a direct line from the hole for your front loot.’’