The Washington times., 1913-02-21
large Crowd Watches Men Of
Post Contend in Various
Events of Skill and Daring
CORPORAL THOMAS SHINES
Eleven Items on Program Are
Enough to Bring Out All De-
qrees of Athletic Merit.

Uncle sam now mas reason 10 pe-
heve that his Olympic representatives
ire not the only champions upon
whom he may rely to defend the ath-
letic supremacy of this country. He
is now able to gather talent when the
occasion arise, right from the midst of
ais regular army and particularly
from the troopers at Fort Myer.
The great crowd of people who at
tended the first soldier meet held at
the post last night are today wonder
ing why these members of our uni
formed constabulary have never
been heard from before in the ath-
letic world and are deploring the fact.
especially the sport lovers, that such
versatility as the soldiers possess has
not been availed to make Uncle Sam
n.l even more respected in interna-
Several scouts from tie big Eastern
athletic clubs looked the performers
over last night and declared that the
feats were nothing short of marvellous
Frank Gotch. and the pick of foreign
gymnastic talent had nothing on the
Fort Myer troopers. In a matter OF
athletic prowess.
Colonel Gauard Prominent.
post, was the most prominent spec
tator at the games last night and was
highly pleased with the work of his
men and from all Indications favors
frequent events Of the kind to further
develop the talent of his men. Lieu
tenant Colonel Johnson, in charge Of
the meet, was another officer who
expressed himself as pleased with the
success Of the contestants.
For men who have had limited ath-
letic competition, the work of the Fort
Myer athletes was surprising in the
games last night. Considering the fact
that the meet was held in the riding
hall, ankle deep in tan dark, made their
performances even more commendable.
Though there was not a great deal Of
running in the games, where a more
solid footing is required, the soft tan
bark impeded the work of the troopers
to no little extent. Most of the events
consisted of gymnastic work, wrestling,
boxing, and feature races. AS a whole
the work was marked with a pleasing
consistency and drew rounds of ap-
plause from the assembled spectators.
There were eleven events in all. Rope
climbing contest. which brought out
many good performances and likewise
as many blisters on the hands of the
climbers, furnished one of the most ex-
citing numbers on the bill. Captain
Heffelfinger, of Troop A, beat all his
competitors to the goal, but today is
nursing his injured members. Sergeant
Taylor, of Troop B, gave a close chase
up the rope, but did not suffer the blis-
ters which his rival was forced to en-
dure
Dooley Is There.
Private Dooley proved himself the best
performer on the horizontal bars, de-
feating Sergeant Volkman and Private
Nealane in the fancy leaps and various
contortions which make this number
what 1t is. Troop A left all other con-
testants at the post when 1t came TO
speed in the three-legged race The
others were not in the same class.
BY his brilliant performances in the
long and side horse events, Corporal
Thomas, of Troop A, winner of both
numbers, won the medal awarded by
the post Y. NJ. c. A. for the athlete
scoring the greatest total of points. in
individual competition.
The summaries:
Rope climb-Won by Captain Heffel-
finger. Troop A; second, Sergeant Tay-
Ior, Troop B; third. Sergeant May.
Horizontal bars-Won by Private
Volkman, Battery d; third, Private
Nealane, Troop d.
Three legged race-Won by Troop A;
second. Battery F: third, Battery D.
Boxing, ligntweight-Wonb by Private
KosewskL
Parallel bars-Won by Granberg,
Battery ID: second, Parento. Battery D;
third, Private Dooley. Troop B.
Wrestling. lightweight-Draw after Is
minutes.
Side horse-Won by Corporal Thomas,
Troop A; second, Sergeant Volkman,
Battery d; third. Sergeant Benson.
Troop d.
Boxing. middleweight-Won by Pu
vate Heck. Battery F.
Long horse-Won by CorporalI
Thomas. Troop A; second, Private Nc
Near. Troop d; third, Private Costello,
Troop D.
Wrestling, middIeweight-Draw after
Is minutes
Obstacle race-Won by Private Prop
srti. Battery K.