New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1918-08-11
Wanen Retains
National 88O-Yd.
Swimming Title
Chicago Star Defeats Lieut..
LANCER in Race at Pei
ham Bay
By A. c. Cavagnaro

William (Bud) Wallen, representing
the Great Lakes Naval Training Sta
ton, of Chicago, stamped himself as an
athlete worthy of possessing the 800
yard swimming championship in sue
cessfully defending his title in the an
nual competition, which was part of
the water carnival at the Pelham Ray
Naval Training Station yesterday.
Wallen was compelled to show his
best speed in defeating Lieutenant
Ludy LANCER, of Camp Gordon, Georgia,
by one yard in one of the most Cruel
ling races on record. So bitter was the
fight between the two men for the title
that in crossing the finish line in II
minutes 81 1-5 seconds Wallen estab
lshed a new American record. The
previous mark of 1l:27 3-5 was to the
credit of Norman Ross, of San Fran
cisco, now in the aviation service, made
in Honolulu Bay last September.
Harold E. Kruger, from Hawaii, fin
ished third, almost fifty wards in the
wake of Lieutenant LANCER, while Leo
Giebel, unattached, was fourth. Ciebel
killed his chance for the championship
the course and before he could regain
his tracks he had lost margin of 100
yards.
Race Thrills Spectators
1t was a thrill throughout for the
spectators who witnessed Wa.len and
Lieutenant LANCER fight their duel.
Wallen, with a smooth and powerful
trudgeon crawl stroke, swept into the
lead at the outset, and for the first lap
had close company in his three other
rivals. After turning the 1lO-yard
stake, however, the race developed into
a tussle between the defending cham
plon and Lieutenant LANCER.
Wallen held the fore position
throughout the race, but at no time
did he enjoy a comfortable margin
over his soldier rival. The Chicago
sailor scented the hard task in front
of him. In taking the turns Lieutenant
LANCER had the advantage of his rival.
Although Wallen would gain slightly
on the run down to the next take off
float, Lieutenant LANCER would shorten
the gap at the turns.
Passing the 440-yard mark in 5:34
Wallen neld an advantage of four
yards. but he was using every ounce
of speed to ward off his opponent The
final 220 yards found both men sprint
ing along at breakneck speed. Lieuten-
AM LANCER, VINO Is known IOr MS
wonderful sprinting ability, came on
strongly during the final fifty yards,
and although he managed to get to
Wallen's feet, he was never able to
overtake him.
Kahanamoku Defeated
Duke P. Kahanamoku. the Hawaiian
speed marvel, suffered his first defeat
since his local invasion, but although
beaten, he performed in manner that
was most astonishing. The Duke fin
ished second in the 110-yard invitation
handicap race, losing by one foot to
Harold E. Kruger. another Hawaiian,
who is touring the country with him.
kahanamoku strated from scratch any
covered the distance in the remarka-
bly, fast time of 55 4-5 seconds.
Although there is no time on record
for this distance, it was announced
that these figures had never been APP
preached in competition. 1t was the
opinion among the spectators that the
course was undoubtedly short, as the
two floats that marked the distance
were laid at low tide. Therefore. with
the rising tide it was assumed that
the floats had been pulled closer to-
gether.
Kruger had an eight-second allow
ance, while J. w. Newnon, Pelham Bay,
the other starter. had fourteen seconds.
Kahanamoku literally crawled up on his
opponents by leaps and bounds, and
at the 100yard mark had passed New
non and was within several yards of
Kruger. The Duke never let up in his
efforts and was practically at Kruger's
side when the latter touched the finish
ing mark.
The third member of the visiting
Honolulu party Clarence f. Lane, also
placed victory to his credit. Lane
started in the 110-yard handicap race
and, although giving generous allowance
to his rivals, won as he pleased.
The triple oar swim, INDUCED in by
Lane, Kruger and Kahanamoku, gave
the spectators an opportunity to see
the wonderful swimming ability of the
Hawaiians.
The summary follows:
sSo-yard national cMmponshp-W by Will
IAN Wcllcn. Great Lakes Naval station: Lieutenant
Ii,iy LANCER Camp Gordon Ca second. Harold r
fourth. Time. II % 8.
l00-yard breast stroke closed to Pelham Bay)-
Won hy r. oldaker "a Regiment: II E. Shields
LIST Regiment. second. f. I. Lavery. list Regiment
third Time - Is.
10 yard swim (handicap)-Won by Clarence
Lane Honolulu (scratch); II. Altman Pelham Bay
seconds third. No time taken.
22o-yard swim tArmy and Navy)-Won By J. w
Newnon. Pelham Bay Ted Reilly. Federal Rcndez-
,ons: second: John j. Curran Federal Rendezvous.
At0 yard relay race (closed to Pelham Bay)-Won
by I'd Regiment: "a Regiment. second. 9th Reg
ment third. Time, 6:29 rs.
0yard swim Invitation handcap)-Won by
Harold l.. Kruger. Honolulu Is seconds Duke
kahanamoku. Honolulu tscrach). second J W
Newnon. Pelham Bay GA seconds. third. Time.