The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-04-29
AN EXCITING MATCH.
Westergaard Wins From Becker After
Rough Contest.

In straight falls Jess Westergaard
dumped Carl Becker at the Grand Fri
day night and doubled his popularity
with Topeka mat fans Both men
fought gameIy all the way. 1t re-
quired just 43 minutes for Wester-
gard to pin the big Germans Shout
ders to the mat in the opening seS-
sion. But in the second attempt, Wes-
tergaard was more fortunate. A head
lock and half nelson was too much
for Becker. For a second he spinned
across the mat on his head. Then
gradually his shoulders began to find
their way to the canvas.
Both men waded into the game
from the start. For a time the 240
pound German seemed able to force
the pace against his 212 pound con-
tender. But Westergaard was never in
ceived the worst of "mugging
match, but usually he evened the
score by a few clever twists of Beck
ers arms and body that discouraged
his adversary. All too often he at
tackled Becker's feet and several times
Westergaard had his man going with
a toe hold, only to lose on account of
Becker's great strength. Then Becker
waded into the game. He sent Wes-
tergaard sprawling on the mat, tried a
half nelson, then a scissors; but the
big six footer who worried Hacken-
be dumped. Almost frantically Beck
er tried his choice collection of holds,
only to have them thrown in the dis
card by Westergaard's clever defense.
1t was after Becker had pulled and
tugged for ten minutes near the close
of the first session, that Westergaard
wiggled out of an ugly looking half
nelson. grabbed the heavy German and
sent him sprawling on the canvas. But
Becker bridged and was after his man
Vvff al Z ca he could mt into
the fight. He tried crotch, but 1t
failed. Then he secured a scissors on
the head and a half nelson. Again
Westergaard escaped and the crowd
yelled. This time Westergaard set the
pace for Becker. He muffed the Dutch
mans face and Becker showed he
didn't like it, While Becker was still
trying to adjust an ear, he was sent
sprawling on the mat and both men
tried for favorite holds. Westergaard
again tried the half nelson. This with
crotch was causing Becker much
grief. Gradually the big mat artist
rolled over and Westergaard pinned
his shoulders to the canvas.
Both men loked fresh as they waded
into the second round. For five min
| utes Becker was the aggressor. He
set pace for Westergaard that was
hard to follow. Then Westergaard
seized the big man and threw him
heavily to the floor, the crowd yelled.
| Becker showed his appreciation of the
treatment and for two minutes tried to
crowd Westergaard's face through the
stage floor. Ten minutes passed be-
| fore Westergaard seemed able to find
a hold that just suited. The 1.-the
wrestler was hard to please and he
| looked the German over carefully be-
| fore making a selection. But while he
was looking Becker was twisting his
arms and body in shapes that resem-
| bled Chinese puzzle.
In one of these attacks Westergaard
| secured a head lock and half nelson.
| He put all the power he possessed into
the attack and Becker skidded across
| the mat and a moment later landed fiat
on his back. 1t was a grilling exhibit
| ton and the final assault took all the
| ginger out of the German. He remain
| ed on the mat several seconds after the
| fall was announced. AS he walked to
| his dressing room, he forgot to con-
| graduate Westergaard for his victory.
| The preliminaries were tame. The
| first game was between Scott, a local
man and Young Hackenschmidt, Rus
| sian contender. Young Hack dumped
| his opponent in 16 minutes, but in that
| time Scott gave him a reception that
almost dazed the Russian. Hack re-
| fused to return for the second session
and forfeited the match. Higgins lost
two straight falls to James and Vardy
| dumped Neil in quick time in two lively
| falls.