Los Angeles herald., 1909-04-02
YOUNG ATHLETE
REVIEWS CAREER
JAMES DONAHUE HOLDS IFS
PRIZES
Not Yet Past % Years OF Age, ST.
Vincent's Crack Has Conn.,
peted in Some Fast
Company

James Donahue, the crack athlete OF
st. Vincent's college, as he sat on the
bleachers yesterday afternoon, told the
story of his athletic career which has
been an interesting one for young
man not past his twenty-third year.
Jimmy has captured, since his entry
into indoor and outdoor field and track
events in 1903, the total of 40 prizes
1t was by no mere chance that ne en-
gagged in this line of sport, but rather'
a natural sequence OF events uu9'
perhaps. in a large measure to herld-
ity. His father was always interested
in outdoor sports.
At the games which the Albany Cen
tral Federation of Labor held. Mr..
Donahue Sr., won prizes IN the sdcA
race and also broke thes record for
jumping over barrels, smashing the
record by the unusual stunt OF nego-
tiating leaps over fifty of them' ana
this backwards. -
AT the Albany Y. NJ. c. A, at the IN
stigation of his father, and While there
his worth Immediately came 10 llght:
In 1903. however, he first achieved
fame and greatness by capturing the
city championships in the 44O-yard run
and pole vault at the games at Ridge-
field, July 4. Before that time, now
ever he had won prizes at the games
held nv the Central Federation of La
bor at Troy. 1t was during this per-
iod. also, that he held the champion
ship in ping-pong, which was then at
it's height At this game he was well
nigh inVincible.
During the season of 1904-19O5. he
competed in the Metropolitan JUNIOR
CHAMPIONSHIPS at New York and ran
third in the 220-yard high hurdles anu
tied for third in the pole vault.
In 1906, by virtue of his previous rec
ord. he was admitted to the Irish
American Athletic club of New York
and competed in the junior champion
ships for a second time. He defeated
the interscholastic champion, wheeler,
Of Troy. BY this time he was accorden
the title of peer of Albany's athletes
and since then none have seriously
challenged his title.
During this stage of his work he was
interested in basketball and captained
the Albany five for two years, in 1906
and 1907. and also took part in the ma
tional game with the London field club.
He was with Company A. OF when he
was and is still a member. he playeI
indoor baseball and his work landed
many a game on the winning side OF
the ledger.
In July. 1907, he won the city cham
pionship in both hurdles, 120 and 220
Yards, pole vault, discus throw, 44O-
yard run. and sack race. in which event
he has never been defeated. He ran
in the national indoor championships
in Madison Square this year and quail
flied for the finals in the 220-yard
hurdles. This event was won by Harry
Hillman in worlds record time, and
Donahue finished fourth.
February 1908 found him winning
honors at Troy, flashing past the wire
first in the 800 and 440 yard run. AT
the Olympic games in the same city a
short time afterWard he won first
place in the pole vault and caught the
eye of the officials in advance of the
others in the 300-yard run.
April of the same year found him
entered in the Armory games at AL
bany Unfortunately, he sprained his
instep. and this prevented him from
competing in the Olympic games which
were held at London In July at the
Metropolitan Junior championships of
the Irish American Athletic club at
Travers island he won his heat in the
high hurdles, in the good time Of rs As
seconds, but the old injury to his in
step was felt and he could not compete
in the finals of the event.
In November he was pressing Jack
Eller in the low hurdles of the nation
al indoor championships at Madison
Square gardens, which were won in
| 2S 2-5 seconds. Donahues time was
| % As seconds. Eller's work was new
worlds record, but because one of the
hurdles was knocked down the time
was not permitted to stand. While
little has been said of this it is a truly
great performance
Is is unnecessary to recount his list
of triumphs in the recent games of
Company A at the Armory at Albany.
He won the 120-yard hurdles. pole