New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-03-01
Defeats Baker in Most
Spectacular Finish by
Last Sprint.
CROWD ROARS CHEERS
AS RUNNERS BATTLE
v.er Contests in All Events
at Fordham's Annual In
door Games.

Tho Roston Athletic Association. or.
..ore properly. perhaps. Thomas J. Hal
who ran the last relay for his team,
-, the intcrcity relay race which was
feature Of the games Of Fordham Uni
4.rsity Al the armory of the list Regi-
ment last msht
psbind by half a stride five yards from
- tame. the lankv Back Bay boy liter
,uv hurled himself across the worsted
ami two inches ahead Of Homer Baker,
:, the New York Athletic Club. in one
=, the most thrilling finishes ever wit
,ssssd ir this city. The cyclonic burst of
is,esd which Halpin loosed on the last
ttalf lap was a fitting climax TO an eX
citing race. and it was no wonder that
t,hs crowd rose and Numbered its appre-
kc,sf,on OF his wonderful work.
ualpin's performance is the more won
Serful in view of the fact that he COM
melted in Boston yesterday afternoon and
was defeated. He barely had enough
time to catch his train for this city. Ger
tain il is he showed no i'll effects from
his tourney, as is well proven by the fact
that he ran his quarter mile in 80 2-5
seconds. forced to run wide on the turns
.by Baker. who held the pole.
That last quarter mile was one that
will lnger long with those who We're
fortunate enough TO witness it. Baker
and Halpin got off within few feet of
each other. and the crowd settled back
10 see the Boston man run off with the
race right at the start In this they
reckoned without their host. for Baker
was primed for the race of his life, and
be It said here that he never ran better.
"A startled shout arose from the crowd
as Homer. running loose, opened a gap
'of some five yards on his rival, and
changed to a riotous outburst of wild,
frenzied roofing as he held his place.
The runners fought the duel to the end
amid the cheers of battle mad crowd.
With tie clang of the bell Halpin drew
up a stride, then was only two yards
back. a yard, and then he seemed 10 tire.
and Baker made up the distance. Three
wards in front raced the New York lad,
only half a lap from home. And then
Halpin really began to fight. BY all rules
OF racing and warfare he was licked
but like the ancient Britons, he refused
10 realize the fact.
once more he hurled himself out in
squirt and again he closed the gap that
separated him from the lead. Step by
step he gained, but that same squirt that
was CARRYING him on Baker carried him
nearer the finish. and II seemed that the
distance would be too short. At the head
Of the stretch he was still half yard
back but summoning all his reserve
every ounce of courage from heart that
would not own defeat-he fairly dove over
the line first by an eyelash.
The officials and spectators rushed out
and surrounded the runners. congratulate
ing both. a member Of the New York
A. c. said to Baker: Homer. I never
thought il was in you" We'll, replied
Baker, grimly. its well out of me now"
The race was almost as close through
out Ollie de Gruchy. who started for
New York. outpaced Bill Meanix by a
yard or more on the first relay. and Drew
Valentine, who paired off against II. F.
Mahoney, added couple Of feet 70 the ad-
'A4iAdbr 81 NildA fADl cN%c AADNNiHt DONAAN
ed Of some two yards in front Of J. NJ.
Burke. Hooking held his lead. too. until
he sent Baker away on the last relay.
The Irish-American Athletic Club also
entered team. but for some reason not
announced failed 20 start.
Fred Gordon, Of the well known Yonkers
family. with handicap of IS yards. won
fhe q 81 Of
adelphia, a most likely looking youngster.
was in second position, with /. Gordon,
another OF the Hudson River family
third. only a stride back.
Tbs pea green freshmen from Columbia
University won the interclass relay race.
with the grave, dignified seniors second
snd the sophs struggling in third.
There was much dissatisfaction in that
the management did not arrange for the
customary relay race between Fordham,
Holy Cross and Georgetown. This was
one Of the reasons for the slim attend
ance.
stuyvessnt High School scored heavily
IN the s5-yard dash. NJ. p. White. indoor
champion Of the Public Schools Athletic
League, breaking from the s-foot mark,
led schoolmate. 2. ]. White, wearing
me colors Of the Salem Crescent A. C.. TO
the wire and the negro was half stride
IN advance % r. w. Cording. Of the
IRISH American a. G.
II required courage TO finish at top
hpeed. for the runners had TO cheek
heinselves In FIVE yards or risk injury
W plunging into several heavy mats
hgng over "A rope Just beyond the finish
Dne Several boys took desperate
chance 10 qualify and were thrown
heavily after running into the barrier
The summaries follow:
sz,y-fye-ysrd dash Oandicap)-won By NJ
ws,."s hise; sivyyesant ~ > 20, 20 feso' y, d
W. Cording. Irlsh-Amer!can A. 9. on feeu,
mfl. Time 0.0
zs1-ysrd relay Chandicap: closed 20 Military
rr,hieuo L@aguej-Won by ga Regiment OF
n ,... ana ~ Shea (si yareD; list Regi-
hfi'' ~. NcHugh. ~. Anderson. y. Cough
~ y. bonsioj "a yardsj. second. - BetiaHgn
ice ,ssl Militia ~ Altman. y. Hanef -
s;r,,1A'5 ant ". r. shaw i5l yards). miro
lD1-yar1 run Obsndlcap,-won BY = Cor
," 49,. g. ~ yarcsJ. second IL CoIdoh'
s,-aitehfg q yaF1D. third. Time. Z:l1 20
, fpiung fh, Iz-pound shot handcapj- Won
- sinclair. stuYyoaant High school "
,'"ji viii 81 feet lJls inches. y g.. Matsukes.
.I.'fe<- American A q. ~ fe"U. Second. WIN
- ~ inciiog D. ". Nsloney. unatAche'
i'Fu ttlfd. Hifl ~ feet : inches.
'naham lntefciaez fOur-lap relay race~Won
=. MIRO scar o. g. Eecti0n (Carr, CON
80 iugfe AMI OGrayJ. second year Sec
-, lhhair ~ ib., DLeary and l,ynchl'
=. vn1i fDlffl year WOek"l. IVORY. McKcnna
~ n'srirjJ. third Time. ~
u, H'nbla tnlfcraify luiefclsBe relay race
~ ~ frcfhmau class Wchpel1er DODaho,
91,,f o, Fowler an1 TaylorJ. seniors Denncy,
'.|LI- MIMI MLlLnn md InnnlNJ Hnlnun.