The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-02-28
KOLEHMAINEN MUST
HUSTLE FOR TITLE
Finn Has Leslie and Dcvanncy
to Beat i'm Indoor Title
Meet Thursday.
MANY EVENTS UNCERTAIN

Tho question of supremacy in nearly
every track event on the programme
for the indoor championships OF the
A. A. L. to be held in Madison Square
Garden next Thursday is open, hut none
presents such "A problem as the two
mile run. a new champion in this event
Is assured. as Harry Smith. victor in
u slashing race over Kramer and ko-
lehfnainen last year, is on the shelf
through an injured foot.
Perhaps the most interesting phase
OF a situation that affords room for
argument on many grounds is the ques-
ton as to whether Hannes Kolehmai-
men. the Olympic champion. will return
to form and resume his position at the
head Of the distance runners. which
he has failed to maintain in the sea-
sons indoor racing. \ week ~ yes
terday K~olchmainen ran five miles in
% :25 at Buffalo. but the imposing effect
OF this performance was spoiled when
he failed to keep pace with Sid Leslie
In a two mile race NJ the Fourteenth
Regiment games last Monday. In spite of
the name the Finn has made as a dis
lance runner 1t is said that neither
he nor his friends Is at all sure Of
his ability TO come home In front at
two miles. and the recent form OF the
other man entered makes 1t imperative
that he shall he at his best In order TO
capture the title.
Whatever happens 10 the Finn will not
affect the race for blood between the two
local men. sid Leslie, Long Island \.
c.. II Mike Dcvanrey. a probationary
member Of the Millrose \. \ The
rivalry between these two young per
formers is intense and in the on" tilt
at the distance At the Millrose \. \.
games the hopors went 70 Leslie. Since
hat time Devanney has show startling
Improvement and by capturing the Hun
ter and Baxter mile races has placed
himself in the front ran OF American
distance runners.
Devanney, who has shown a disposi-
ton to try a shorter route since his de-
feat by Leslie. is now pointed for the
two miles. There is no doubt that his
speed has increased In the last few
weeks. and IT will he Leslie's object 70
test his staying powers by setting a hot
pace all TIRE way. J. Ray OF the Illinois
a. g. is another dangerous a He
won the five mile Junior championship
in 1913 and on one OF kolchmaineu Z
Western trips the Chicagoan defeated
the Finn. Ray won a mile race IN fast
time recently and is undergoing a speCia
preparat on for the race next Thursday
That many champions are doomed
to lose their titles seems certain in view
of past performances. The only reason.
ably sure winner in track events Is Jacl
Eller. who appears TO stand out as .
hurdler just as prominently as he lid .
veal X His chief opposition may
come from f.. +. Himmitt OF Penn state
hut Eller's familiarity witt indoor wort
IL likely to give him an edge on the col,
legian.
Alvah T. Meyer won both the ~ ant
900 yards a year ago. hut will have hi,
troubles in repeating. lie Is Just round
ing 10 form after a poor indoor season
and may manage to come through again
In the IS yard dash he will have 10 bea'
Carroll Of p%ittsburg, winner of tn,
junior 100 in 1912 and for whom re
markable time has been claimed in re-
cent races. Even II Meyer should las
through the 100 at top speed IL Is doubt
ful II he Will be strong enough to stan,
of Tom Lennon. the ~Fennsylvani.
Splinter, who Will carry the New Norl
\. &. colors In the 300. Lennon gave AZ
Impressive performance in winning n,
300 yards handicap at the Greek
American games from scratch and prob
ably will start ~fayorite over Never
Tom Halpin OF Boston holds The 60t
yard title and will he on hand t. de
fend 1t. Against ordinary men Halpil
would be a cInch, but with Ted Mere
dith booked TO opposo him a foot rae
Is assured. with the chances in favo
ot the sturdy Quaker, whose all roun,
work this winter has been Of hiEhe
quality thar the Bostonian has shown
II is reported that Abel kiyiat may tr,
this event as well as the 1000 var,
II the programme is arranged so tina
he ma have sufficient rest. and tn
little Staten Islander cannot he over
looked At any distance.
Kiviat wears the laurel wreath In IN
1000 and no secret is made of the fac
that he will meet n dangerous oppo
nent in Dave Caldwell. the intercolle
riate half mile champion. Caldwell
l.53 2-5 for that race puts him AT lels
on a par with Kiviat and his defeat o
Meredith in the Brooklyn handicap a
500 yards shows that he is at the to,
of his form. Meredith also will De
contender If he decides 10 start, so ma
Kiviat viii have by no means an cas-
task to repeat his success Of last year
Dick Romer Is the present champion
at the two mile walk, hut an signs poin
TO an easy victory in this event 10
Edre REM. who has taken tho meas
urc uf Iiemer in every event In whlCl
they have met this year At or aroun
this distance. In the field events tn
title holders have easier tasks. Plat
Adams won the standing high and hroa
jumps and tho pole vault for dis,anc
last year and is still supreme in hi
spccialtios. PAT Mcdonald should RI
peat in the 20 pound shot pu, and ais
may retain his title In throwing TN
56 for height. The high jump title
likely - chanGe hands. with Olcr O.
Yale and E1rwlsc of Boston opposed =
! Gene ,Jeun UgS. the holder.