Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1908-02-02
DECIDE NTAL
TO HAVE GOOD
TRACK SEASON
COHEN HAS LARGE CLASS IN
HARD TRAINING
Presbyterian Cinder Path Stars VIII
Compare Well with Other Athletes,
Despite Forecast to the
Contrary
ny }. II. wooDsIDE.

In spite of the dismal forecasts con-
corning Occidental college track ath-
letics for this year which were made
by the pessimistic dopesters at the be-
ginning of the practice season there
now seems a good prospect that the
Presbyterian institution viii be able
to make better showing than In pre-
vious years.
When Coach c Aeen sent out the
first call for candidates before the hol~
tdays it was naturally difficult to
foresee point-winning class in the
crude recruits VINO mustered. AZ tn% t
time there was also considerable
number of old men who were uncer-
tain about hitting the cinder path for
another term. Owen Bird, who may be
counted on to bring home prize every
time he starts, was doubtful ABOUT
donning the pantalettes on account OF
a faulty knee. Speedy Rush, the lit
scarcely recovered his equilibrium
after the football battles and had
thrown away his crutches but lew
days before the training began
But this disheartening outlook was
no criterion of the present appearance
of the Highland camp. owen BIRD
has been elected captain of the track
crew and is now assisting Coach Go
heen and Billy Edwards in drilling the
new idea. Fred Thompson has gained
appointment as Sergeant-at-arms over
the weight aspirants by putting the
big cannon ball a trifle over forty-one
feet in rehearsal. Fred johnson has
arranged his difficulties over the meal
ticket question and will stay in col
1ese this semester in the weight
course.
Since it has been decided that acad-
envy men can compete In intercolle-
giate meets, Marshall has girdled his
Joins to trot over the mile and two
mile divisions. Jimmy Gordon has
also been at the grind in the long
Journeys almost since the first call.
clarence Blee is by trade Splinter
but intends to lengthen out for at
least the 440 and $50 runs and may at
tempt the mile tour. Clarence Brewer
who was change quarterback on the
varsity eleven, is giving promise in the
hundred-yard sprint and can also
jump a little both with the pole and
cross country.
Fred Thompson holds the southern
record for both the low and high hur-
dies and has been called the only real
hurdler among the local schools
Thompson has the knack of leaving
his sticks intact while the other jump
ers knock them to the ground.
Pierce Thomas is master of the Oc-
cidental pole and broad jumpers and
is showing better ability than ever
this season. Arthur Young IS handy
with the scaling roo and will un-
doubtedly make the team,
Besides the most likely candidates
there are about twenty recruits who
have yet plenty of time to get into
winning form, and the best thing
about them is that every man in the
camp is willing to follow instructions
and work hard.
To encourage the athletes in putting
forth their best efforts has come the
gift of an unknown benefactor of the
institution who has donated $1,000 for
the purpose of improving the athletic
field. Part of this sum will be ex-
pended on the grounds before the
track meets are commenced, and it is
hoped by the time the baseball sched-
ue IS begun to have the field in per-
feet condition. These improvements
will give to Occidental one of the best
athletic fields in the south and prob
ablv the best which is exclusively for
college use.
The present field is large and well
appointed aud with slight remodeling
Will be perfect. The greater part of
the $1,000 gift will be spent upon the
training quarters and gymnasium,
which are now entirely inadequate for
the needs of such a large institution.