American Athletes on N.Z. Tour

New Zealand Listener, Volume 16, Issue 395, 17 January 1947, Page 13

American Athletes on N.Z. Tour

side in the last few minutes of a representative Rugby match, or a double century in cricket are but two short cuts to glory in New Zealand. And, when a New Zealand sprinter clips another fraction off 9 4/5 seconds for the 100 yards, he too, will become a permanent hero. So we can assume that New Zealand runners have lately been looking to their spiked shoes, and shot-putters and discus-throwers to their biceps, preparatory to meeting the American amateur athletic team which has arrived in the Dominion, It is 15 years since the last United States team came to New Zealand, so more than ordinary interest will be taken in the 1947 visitors. In a talk over all National stations the other evening, L. A. Tracy, ex-New Zealand 220 yards champion, and now president of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association, commented on the personnel and performances of the team. Here, in part, is what he said: The captain of the team is Johnny Fulton, of Palo Alto, California, present 800 metres American champion, who last summer toured Europe and was undefeated. He is of rather frail build, but is equally proficient over the 220, 440, or 880 yards. He is a definite prospect for the American Olympic team, and selected meetings between Fulton and Doug. Harris, New Zealand cham"pion and record-holder, should be features of the tour. His performances in the United States and overseas have been phenomenal and he is the best middle distance runner ever to visit this country, not excepting Dr. Otto Peltzer, who was here in 1930, Don Campbell, the sprinter with the team, is also an Olympic prospect, and is a product of, the University of Colotado, in Denver. In 1944 he won the national junior 200 metres championship and was third-in the senior national event; he resumed competition in 1946 after being in the services during 1945, He is a young athlete. with his best running years ahead and he will be anxious to add to his reputation during the New Zealand tour. A POTTED goal to save the Australian Sprinter May Compete ~ Added interest will be given by the advice from Australia that John Treloar will arrive in New Zealand in time to appear at Dunedin on February 8. Treloar returned new Australian record figures for the 100 and 220 yards early in December, and this 19-year-old athlete, who is 6ft. 3in, in height, should have some great meetings with Campbell and Ron Agate,"New Zealand champion. The American field events man, Al Hershey, ‘is the greatest exponent of field events to visit New Zealand. His shot and discus figures are remarkable, and when it is realised that he puts the shot 2ft. further than the great Harlow Rothert, and 6ft. further than the best New Zealander, some indication of his ability can be gauged.

All American teams to tour New Zealand have been immensely popular with competitors, officials and the public. The athletes have always been willing to give advice freely to all competitors. Summarising, briefly the performances of the athletes, Fulton runs the 220 yards in 21 seconds, the 440 yards in better than 48 seconds, and the half-mile in 1 minute 51 seconds. Campbell runs the 100 yards in 9 7/10th seconds, the 220 yards in 21 3/10th seconds, and runs really efficiently up to 440 yards, —

Hershey puts the shot 52ft. and the discus 155ft., but, in perfect conditions, he has reached 165ft. Provisional broadcasting arrangements for the tour have been made as follows: January .18, at Auckland, by 1YA; Febriary 1, at Wellington, by 2YA; February 5, at Invercargill, by 4YZ; February 8, at Dunedin, by 4YAg February 15, at Christchurch, by 3YA; February 19, at Masterton, by 2YA; February 22, at Napier, by 2YH; and February 26, at Auckland, by 1YA. or