New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-07-29
Higgins Shows
Much Promise
As a Runner
Irish-American A. c. Counts
on Joe to Fill Shep-
pard's Shoes

Adherents Of the Irish-Americsn
Athletic Club expect Joe Higgins. the
middle distance runner, to fll the
shoes vacated by Melvin W. Sheppard.
From the time Higgins came to this
city from Holy Cross College last year
he has attracted considerable attention
by his spectacular performances. His
defeats have been very few, while he
has triumphed over many fast runners
According TO friends of Joe, the In
door national champion intends to try
his speed az the mile. While Higgine
ha, shown special ability for the 1000
ward route, he has shown himself 70 be
a hard man to beat in the few one
| mile races in which he has started.
Higgins also is short distance
sprinter of merit. While at Holy
| Cross the young athlete scored many
victories in intercollegiate competition.
In the 1915 meeting Higgins showed
brand Of speed that carried him home
second in the 4iC-ysrd run, one yard
behind Z. c. Riley, Of Dartmouth, who
won in 40 3-5 seconds. Shortly after
ward Higgins ran his favorite dis
lance, 500 yeards, and, according to sew
eral local officials who saw the race,
won by a "city block" in 900 30.
A Consistent Winner.
During the last few months Higgins
has been trampling upon all opposition
despite the severe handicaps he faced.
In several cases Joe was placed as lar
back behind scratch as IS yards, but
he has almost invariably come home In
front Of his rivals with much TO spare.
In two instances Higgins covered the
I, 900 yard distance in close 20 record
time.
Higginss last two performances upon
the cinder path have been IN races AT
one mile, and the times he made stamp
him as a dangerous man at TINS ais
lance. His first effort was in the Mayo
Mile. and victory was wrested from
him near the tape by Willie Gordon, OF
the New York Athletic Club.
Sweet revenge was obtained by Hig-
Gin. In tho Comedian Mile which feat
ured tho games Of the Knights OF Co
! lumbus last Sunday In this event
Higgins faced Joie W. Ray, the ma
tional champion at FIVE miles, and Cor
don. During the closing stages OF the
race Gordon gained the jump on mig
gins, but 1t was only momentary al
vantage. as Higgins quickly gave. chase
and in q few bounds had opened UP
lead.
A Speedy Runner
That Higgins Is capable OF covering
the mile In fast time was proven by ms
performances of a;27b in the Comedian
race. The race took place after the
| heavy rainstorm that swept over the
city last Sunday and the downpour had
ieft many little puddles Of water
around the track. Joie Ray, who set
the pace for the greater part OF tne
way, also slowed up matters by Ms
tendency TO stay In front and show the
way. However, when the time for the
final sprint came Ray was left FAR In
the rear.
John Conway, Of the Irish-American
Athletic Club, is very enthusiastic over
the chances Of Higgins as a one-mlle
runner. "Joe Is boy you can always
depend upon to be In fine shape Tor any
event." Conway said last night. ms
| two past races at the mile route have
nroven that he can go the distance in
cIose 10 record time If he specially pre-.
mares for this event. OF course, IL will
| take time for him to carry sustained
sprint for a mile, but when that time
comes he will be ready 70 meet all mis-
rivals. e,a
with the departure OF Sheppard
from our ranks we were sorely IN neeo
| of a man to wear his shoes. For TWO
wears we were unable to find success
| sor 10 the most consistent half-miler
that ever lived (Sheppard), but now
that Higgins is In our ranks we De-
| lieve we have him.
"There is no question about Higginss
canabilitv Of traversing the mile in
fast time. He has closely approached
the .OOO-yard record in races. and with
a little practice he will be able 10 go
the longer course just as fast: The
Irish club will send Higgins to the ma,
tional championships at st. Louis ana
we expect him to carry back the nall
|