The New York herald., 1922-03-05
CONTESTANTS FALL
ON SLIPPERY TRACK
Leaking Roof Causes Trouble
in Games at Twenty
second Armory.
L0MAS HAS HEAVY FALL
Has to BE Assisted to Dressing
Room After Mishap at Dan
gerous Corner.

The best of the rising type OF col
lege and A. A. u. club athletes, many
of them holders OF sectional titles In
different parts of the country. were
seen in action at the national field and
track championship games of the A.
A. U. for juniors at the Twenty-second
Regiment Armory last night. Twenty
five hundred persons watched the ef-
forts of the newcomers in the proud
field of national competition TO climb
one rung higher in the pursuit OF ath-
letic honors.
Much interest in the struggle for the
sprint disappeared with the announce
ment that Robert McAllster. the fly
ing cop. holder of records and a cham
pionship title. and William A. Comins.
the speedy freshman of Yale. would
not be among the starters in the sixty
yard dash. McAllister's absence was
due to his inability to obtain leave from
his police duties. Comins's failure to
race was the result of leg trouble.
The final heat and title was won by
j. A. lie Coney of Lafayette College,
with r. Wood of st. Chrstopher's Cub
second, and Victor Graeb of Columbia
University third. Although he got
away last of all, LIE Coney drew even
with Graeo. the leader at twenty-five
yards, and, going strong from that
PplHL OIi. DlGdSlcu lHC hdpt oilC ydlu
in advance of Wood.
Leaks in the roof OF the armory, which
permitted rain TO seep through to the
floor causing pools of water to form
on the track. played havoc with the
starters in the 1000 yard and completely
ruined the chances of several who
slipped and fell.
Four Men Fall in Corner.
The most slippery OF the turns the
runners had to negotiate was at the
southwest corner. 1t was the second
turn the runners had to take on their
long journey. -Four men went down at
this point and two Topped at the north
west turn, which was also watersoaked.
Those fortunate enough to maintain
their equilibrium in spite of the slippery
footing included Malcolm X. Douglas of
Yale University. who won by twenty
Yards w. M. Parker of st. Chrtstophers
Club was second and Frederick Hilles
of Yale University, third.
No athletes were ever called upon to
race for indoor championship honors
under more trying conditions than the
contestants In this event The wonder
of it was that any of them were able
to step along a racing pace without in
Juring themselves.
Only three men competed for titular
honors in the shot putting contest. The
A A. u. rules state all fields III cham
rionshp contests must be composed OF
al least four men. Notwithstanding the
rule the referee allowed the result to
stand.
Competitors in the preliminary and
final heat OF the 800 yard who had TO
race over the two dangerous turns, also
labored under great difficulties. Many
of them were afraid TO extend them
selves, and those who did came a crop
per. One of the chief sufferers from
the bad track was Thomas Lomas of
the NY. A. c., who slipped and fell
heavily in trial heat. He was dazed
when picked up by eliminates. and had
to be assisted TO his dressing room. He
complained of pains in his head and
side after the fall.
The poor condition of the track was
responsible for the most farcical con-
tests ever witnessed in a championship
meet. Luck and not merit counted In
the acquiring OF titles.
After diligent search OF the neigh
borhood scouts obtained a supply or
sawdust Liberal applications of the
puiverized wood minimized the danger
of the wet turns, but contestants
showed much caution in moving around
them. This carefulness prevented a dts
play of speed and slow time as a conse-
uuence was recorded.
Long distance runners were the first
TO face overlayers OF sawdust and all
managed to complete the full distance.
1t was the first race decided on the
peculiar course in which all the con-
testants stayed on their feet from start
10 finish. The race resulted in a VIC
tory for Edward II. letter OF the 106th
Field Artillery of Buffalo i'm the good
time Of minutes AZ 4-5 seconds. An
drew Craw, a one time Metropolitan
senior a. a. II. one mile champion. was
second and William Ritter. a junior OF
the Meadowbrook Club OF Philadelphia.
was third.
LulIcy Wins on the Tape.
The finish OF the GOO yard run was
of the eyelash and spectacular kind.
n. j. Bohannon of the University OF
Virginia was leading by several yards
going into the second lap when he
suddenly slipped and fell on one or
the wet turns. Clarence Sherman of
st. Christopher's Club then took the
cad lie opened up a lead OF many
Yards and appeared to have good
grasp on first prize. But he had run
himself into the ground and he had
nothing left when Vincent Lalley. COM
ing like streak, nipped him at the tape
and won by . foot. Bohannon picked
himself M and, going after the others,
got third place
The final heat OF the 900 yard dash
resulted III a farce. Three or tho four
starters took a nose dive on the treach-
crous southwest turn. Those who fell
on the fabricated corner were w. +.
Downcy OF the Paulist a. G.. r. Georgl
Of tho New York A. &. and James
Dorsey OF the Moadowbrook Club of
Philadelphia. Ellis Pcrlman. the only
man to stand up and keep moving. went
on 10 an easy victory.
The Summaries. y