The Bridgeport times and evening farmer. (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1918-1924, 1918-01-14
GREAT ADVANCES
MADE BY u. s. IN
TRACK ATHLETICS
Charts Of Amateur Union
Show Many Records Have
Been Repeatedly Broken
During Recent Years
Few Old Marks Have
Stood Against Onslaught
of Stars.

New York, Jan. 14.-The remark
able advance made in track and field
athletics by American performers in
recent years is strikingly demonstrat-
ed by the latest charts of the Amateur
athletic Union. With the exception of
two or three events, the records show
that almost every standard contest
has repeatedly been bettered during
the period since the early eighties
when the A A U. was organized.
The 100 yard dash was cut down
2-5 of a second in a trifle less than
thirty years. Between 1883 and 1918
lit was broken twice and no less than
eleven sprinters participated in break
ling or tying the time. In the 220 dash
AS of a second was Topped off the
thine in similar period, the record
being broken twice and eight runners
receiving credit for exceeding or
equalling the previous clocking. The
quarter mile event is one of the ex-
ceptions to the general rule. Wendell
Baker ran the 44O yards in At "a
seconds in 1886 and in 1900 Maxey
Long reduced the time to At seconds
flat Since that date no sprinter has
ever equalled this performance.
corning the OlSIdnC0S, lIlG
half mile run has been bettered twice
1-2 seconds having been cut off the
time made by Lon Myers in 1885. This
time was lowered twice and four ath-
1etes are credited with tying or break
ing the record. In the mile run 45
seconds marks the improvement. w
G. George ran the distance in 1882
in 4.21 rs and in turn Tommy Con-
eff, John Paul Jones and Norman Ia
Der each clipped the time until, at
present it stands at 4.12 3-5. The five
mile record has been broken three
times and equalled once since 1887
and the total gain amounts to 54 2-5
Seconds. The ten. mile run shows q
gain of 1.55 is since 1885, the rec.
ord of that date having been betteret
three times.
In the hurdle races 1 is second!
marks the gain over the 120 yarc
flight. In 1891 H. L. Williams die
l 5 Ass and in 1916, r. Simpson estab
lished the present figures of IA 3-5
During these tWenty-siX years the rec
ord was broken four times and tieC
four times. At 220 yards the gain
amounts to a full second. This SECOND
was cut off by A. c. Kraenzlein il
1898 and has been tied twice but nevel
beaten. The one mile walk has beer
improved to the extent Of 3-5 second
since 'Cinders'' Murray stepped tn
distance in en-, 20 3-5 in 1888. 1t wa
not until 1911, however, that Georg
Goulding. the Canadian walker. heel
apd-toed the distance in 6.28 and n
other performer has equalled thos
figures since.
The field events also afford some re
r,Grkable examples of the improve
n,ent in athletic competition. The run
ring high jump mark has been move
up 5-16 inchess ince 1887 when "
b. Page cleared it., 4 in. Eddie Bee
soon holds the record at present wit
it., z 5-16 inches but in the intern
Mike Sweeney and George HORNE he'll
the figures of their day thus provin
factors in the climb of the Jumpers
The broad Jump shows an improve
ment of 1 #. A IA inches. In 1886 tn
figures stood at % it., 8 in, made b
Malcolm Ford and between that dat
and Meyer Brimstein's record leap
"a IT., IA in. the records were broE
en- five times by four C%erent broa
jumpers. The hop, step and jun
shows gain of 6 it., 8 IA in, bt
tween 1884 and 1911 when the exis
ing figures weco established by Da
AheaTn,
The pole vauiters also kept raisir
the bar steadily from the day whe
Hugh Baxter did IL it., in, in 1SS
Mark Wright now holds the recol
with 10 it., IA in, but the origin
height has been improved upon I
less than seven times and tied ono
In the weight events II #, 3 Is il
mark the gain between QueckherneI
heave of % it., 8 IA in, with the
I'M, ball and Matt McGraths 40 f
6 3-S in, made in 1911. The shot p
gain amounts to it., 1 in, havil
been broken six times in q period
thirty years, The discus throw W
not established until 1897 and the fiji
figures were held by C. II. Hennemi
with 118 f., g in. In 1912 the prese
record of 145 fl, 1-2 in, was ma
by Duncan but during these fifte
years the figures were improved
less than seven times and in each ca
Martin Sheridan was the athlete
better his previous throw.
F0RnHAMT0SFS