Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-03-24

A NNAPOLIS, Md, March "a
~ Navy expects its track
n team this Spring to rank
a with the best in the coun-
try. Last year the squad began
to show results of good coaching
and now it seems that plans made
two or three years ago to develop
more interest in the sport and
raise it to the same strong posi-
ton held by other Navy athletic
organizations are nearing success
At least Navy people feel that
way, and none other should be in
better position to know.
Navy track teams have seldom at
tanned the high position of other Navy
sports organizations, probably because
those in charge of Navy athletics have
never given it the same close attention
they have other sports and have never
centered IN it their real interest. How
ever, about three years ago Comdr
Jonas Ingram decided that something
should be done about it and he began
by getting Earl Thomson, former Dart
mouth star, to coach.
That was a big stroke, because right
from that time somebody was in charge
of track who knew how to get the most
out of men and who was in a position
to give his whole time to it, Comdr
Ingram and his staff also began to pay
some attention to track and to indi-
cate to the midshipmen that they felt
track deserved some real attention, that
1t was worth building. up and worth
their interest.
Results Are Apparent.
Midshipmen began to go out for track
practice in increasing numbers. More
candidates, good coaching and atten-
ton from those In authority began to
produce results two years ago. Last
year the Navy squad was far more for
midable. and during the coming Spring
it is expected that it will be strong
enough to hold its own In a dual meet
with any of the colleges and universities.
Incidentally, it is not amiss to men,
ton that the Navy is expecting to be
strong in all Spring sports. The la
crosse team especially is looking for
ward to another successful year, as a
majority of the players who carried it
through an indicated season last
Spring are back. The crew and the
nine also are looking ahead to what
they believe should be successful COM
petition In fact, it is doubtful If
Navy people have ever shown as much
optimism in their outlook for Spring
athletics as is plainly evident right now.
And while on the subject of athletics,
right here in this old, old town is an
other college that is looking ahead to
success in at least one sport this
Spring-St. Johns. If the st. Johns
lacrosse twelve is not among the best in
the country, then a lot of st. Johns
people are going to be disappointed,
especially "Dinty" Moore, coach, and
"Tody'' Riggs, athletic director.
Makes Wise Move.
Two years ago ST. Johns eliminated
base ball from its intercollegiate compe-
tition, and made lacrosse about the
whole show, as far as 1t Is concerned,
during April and May. This was done
with no malice aforethought toward the
diamond sport, but almost solely be-
cause of the expense involved. Those
responsible for athletics at st. Johns
decided that it would be impossible for
them to maintain both lacrosse and
base ball on a high plane, that If both
were continued the result would be two
impoverished teams. Under the cir
curnstances the decision was reached to
maintain one sport and do that on a
basis in which the college could take
some pride.
Last Spring certainly proved the wis
dom of st. Johns attitude, as far as
lacrosse is concerned. The decision to
let base ball drop had much to do with
the high plane attained in lacrosse, In
which sport st. Johns had one of the
strongest twelves in the United States.
More students out as candidates, more
money properly to equip the greater
number of candidates, and central
ization of the interest Of students, fac.
ulty and alumni brought more pleasing
results than actually had been antici-
pated. The accomplishments Of last
year Just whetted appetitieS down here.
St Johns is looking for more worlds to
conquer and confidently believes 1t VIII
find them.