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The Spike Golden Jubilee Number May 1949

Athletics

page 105

Athletics

The victoria university college athletic club faces the second half century of the College with as full a record as any College Club can claim. Before its official inception in 1904, an event delayed through the inability of the Tournament Committee to pay the necessary affiliation fees to the Athletic Association, the Club bad occupied a prominent place in College activities for some years.

The founder and first 'leader' of the Club was G. F. Dixon, who played a leading role in promoting the Tournament, and who from then right up to the present, has looked after the Club's interests at every opportunity.

In its embryo stages, athletics at Victoria College were fostered by the generosity of the late J. P. Firth of Wellington College, in making the Wellington College grounds available to our athletes, and by Professor T. H. Easterfield, an old Cambridge half blue, who gave much of his time, coupled with the benefit of his advice and experience, to our early athletes. Prior to World War I, many notable athletes rose from the Club's ranks. Probably the greatest was Athol Hudson who first competed at Tournament in 1913, when he won the three miles event in record time. In 1914 he beat his previous record in establishing the time 15 mins. 24 secs. for the three miles, and he also won the mile in the record time of 4 mins. 32 secs. At the New Zealand Championships, 1913-14, Hudson won the three miles in a sensational fashion, beating by nearly a lap the Australasian Champion, Jimmy Beatson. Had the war not claimed the life of this great athlete, there is little doubt that he would have proved one of the most brilliant distance runners New Zealand has ever produced. Mention should also be made of F. W. B, Goodbehere who, although he did not quite fulfil the promise of his College days, had the following fine Tournament record: three wins in each of the 100 yards and 220 yards, two wins in the 440 yards and one win in the broad jump. Another sprinter, A. T. Duncan, did well at Tournament and also won the New Zealand titles for the 100 yards and 220 yards in the 1912-13 championships. T. Rigg was three miles champion at Tournament for four years in succession. In 1909 he established a record which stood until Hudson bettered it in 1913. The walker, A, B. Sievwright, did well, winning the mile walk at Tournament in 1913, 1914, and 1915, and establishing new records in the two former years. Sievwright also won the New Zealand title for the mile and three mile walks in 1914-15 and 1919-20.

Following World War I, the Athletic Club had a lengthy period of success and produced many outstanding athletes. From 1919 the Club won the Athletic Shield at Tournament for three successive years, then for four years Otago held sway, with V.U.C.A.C. usually second, and finally, for a further four years, the Club held the Shield. During this period the Club played a prominent part in both Centre activities and the Provincial Championships. Many Provincial titles were carried off by Club members, but the Provincial Championship Shield was never won, although second place was gained on several occasions.

From 1930 onwards, the success of the Club was not so apparent, a state to be expected since, from the end of World War I, it had more or less led the field, but now the other Colleges were becoming stronger and took their turn at the top. About 1935, the V.U.C.A.C. began to show signs of a new life, although, except in 1939, it retained the wooden spoon; but on the advent of World War II any hope of regaining the lost place was shattered, since, as in the other Colleges, the activities of the Club were severely restricted and at times reduced to nil. However, since World War II, the Club has gradually regained its feet and has built up to almost pre-war standard, with the help of the introduction of some ' new blood ' by the inauguration of Women's Athletics at Tournament in 1945-46.

Unfortunately, space does not permit a survey of all the outstanding athletes of the Club since World War I, but their achievements will be found tabulated below. Yet it is impossible to pass on without mentioning some of them in slightly more detail. In the Sprints there have been L. A. Tracy (nine wins and several records at Tournament, three New Zealand Championships and a first and a second in Australasian Championships), M. Leadbetter, who became a champion while at V.U.C. and later transferred to Canterbury (six Tournament titles, seven New Zealand Championships and a New Zealand record of 9.8 seconds for 100 yards) and J. Sutherland (four Tournament titles, including equalling the record of 10 seconds for the 100 yards, and one New Zealand title). Among the Hurdlers, R. W. Lander, who first ran for Wellington, then Otago, and later for Wellington (six New Zealand Championships, an Australasian Championship and a New Zealand record of 15.2 seconds for the 120 yards hurdles). F. S. Ramson was not only a great hurdler, but the greatest all-rounder the College has produced. His record reads: ten Tournament Championships scored in five different events (a record which has not been equalled), four New Zealand hurdles titles, an Austalasian title and a New Zealand record (which has since been beaten) of 56.8 seconds in the 440 yards hurdles. The distance races have seen D. R. Scrymgeour in the three miles (two Tournament titles, including a record page 106 of 14 minutes 55.6 seconds for the three miles) and V. P. Boot (who really belonged to Canterbury College, but ran for a while with our Club) who won Provincial and National titles as well as being an Empire Games representative in the 880 yards.

In 1929 a New Zealand Universities Athletic Team visited Australia on an invitation from the Australian Universities, extended at the instance of Mr E. V. Dunbar, an Olympic Games representative, who had coached the Victoria College team with great success. Three V.U.C.A.C. men were in the touring team, viz., T. S. Ramson, E. K. Eastwood and J. N. Gordon. The team did not meet with a great deal of success against the Australian Universities although when competing with the State Universities the teams were more evenly matched. Plans are well in hand for another visit to Australia in May 1949 when a team of ten, selected at Tournament will cross the Tasman to compete once again with the Australian Universities.

AUSTRALASIAN CHAMPIONSHIPS

1924 L. A. Tracy 440 yards flat
1927 R. W. Lander 120 yards hurdles
1927 F. S. Ramson 440 yards hurdles

NEW ZEALAND CHAMPIONSHIPS

100 yards
1912-13 A. T. Duncan
1924-25 M. Leadbetter
1925-26 M. Leadbetter
1926-27 M. Leadbetter
1927-28 M. Leadbetter
1939-40 J. Sutherland
220 yards
1912-13 A. T. Duncan
1922-23 L. A. Tracy
1923-24 L.A.Tracy
1924-25 L.A.Tracy
1925-26 M. Leadbetter
1926-27 M. Leadbetter
1927-28 M. Leadbetter
1929-30 C. H. Jenkins
1930-31 C. H. Jenkins
880 yards
1922-23 K. M. Griffin
1927-28 C.B.Allan
1938-39 V. P. Boot
1939-40 V. P. Boot
One mile
1922-23 K. M. Griffin
Three miles
1913-14 A.Hudson
One mile Walk
1914-15 A. B. Sievwright
1919-20 A. B. Sievwright
Three miles Walk
1914-15 A. B. Sievwright
1919-20 A. B. Sievwright
1923-24 S. G. Mcintosh
120 yards hurdles
R. W. Lander, 6 years from 1923-24 to 1928-9
1929-30 F. S. Ramson
1934-35 P. Bowie
440 yards hurdles
1927-28 F. S. Ramson
1928-29 F. S. Ramson
1929-30 F. S. Ramson
Broad Jump
1929-30 D. W. A. Barker
High Jump
1927-28 G. J. Sceats
Cross Country Championships
1921 H. E. Moore

NEW ZEALAND RECORDS

M. Leadbetter, 100 yards, 9.8 secs, in 1927 (now New Zealand best performance).

R. W. Lander, 120 yards hurdles, 15.2 secs in 1927 (no longer record).

F. S. Ramson, 440 yards hurdles, 56.8 secs in 1927 (Ramson's record has since been beaten by a Canterbury College athlete, A. T. Anderson, and J. M. Holland, of Auckland).

In addition, G. J. Sceats for some time held the best New Zealander's performance in the High Jump at 6 feet, a height which has since been beaten.

NEW ZEALAND UNIVERSITY EASTER TOURNAMENT

100 yards
1905 T. E. Y. Seddon 11.2 secs, (dead heat)
1907 F. W. B. Goodbehere 10.8 secs
1908 F. W. B. Goodbehere 10.8 secs
1911 A. T. Duncan 10.8 secs
1912 F. W. B. Goodbehere 11 secs
1919 N. A. J. Barker 10.2 secs
1920 L. A. Tracy 10.8 secs
1921 L. A. Tracy 10.2 secs
1925 M. Leadbetter 10.4 secs
1926 M. Leadbetter l0 secs (equal record)
1930 C. H. Jenkins 10.4 secs
1932 F. H. Stephenson l0 secs (not passed as record)
1933 F. H. Stephenson 10.2 secs
1938 C. V. Adams 10.4 secs
1939 J. P. Eastwood 10.2 secs
1940 J. Sutherland 10.2 secs
1941 J. Sutherland 10 secs (equal record)
220 yards
1907 F. W. B. Goodbehere 24.4 secs
1908 F. W. B. Goodbehere 25.4 secs
1911 A. T. Duncan 24.4 secs
1912 F. W. B. Goodbehere 24.8 secs
1920 L. A. Tracy 23.6 secs
1921 L. A. Tracy 22.8 secs
1922 L. A. Tracy 23 secs
1924 L. A. Tracy 23 secs
1925 M. Leadbetter 23.6 secs
1926 M. Leadbetter 23.2 secs
1929 E. K. Eastwood 23.4 secs
1930 C. H. Jenkins 22.8 secs
1932 F. H. Stephenson 23.2 secs
1933 F. H. Stephenson 22.6 secs
1939 C. V. Adams 23 secs
1940 J. Sutherland 22.8 secs
1941 J. Sutherland 22.8 secs
440 yards
1906 H. W. King 54.2 secs
1907 F. W. B. Goodbehere 54.2 secs
1912 F. W. B. Goodbehere 54.4 secs
1921 L. A. Tracy 52 secs
1922 L. A. Tracy 51.6 secs
1924 L. A. Tracy 51.4 secs
1926 E. B. Smith 54 secs
1927 C. B. Allan 53 secs
1928 E. B. Smith 52.6 secs
1929 E. K. Eastwood 52 secs
1932 J. B. Stephenson 50.4 secs
1939 J. P. Eastwood 50.4 secs
1945 J. F. Goldfinch (no time given)
880 yards
1902 A. S. Henderson 2 mins 3.2 secs
1919 G. H. Lusk 2 mins 17.4 secs
1920 J. L. Dighton 2 mins 11.4 secs
1921 M. R. Grierson 2 mins 3 secs
1922 K. M. Griffin 2 mins 1.4 secs
1923 K. M. Griffin 2 mins 5.6 secs
1926 C. B. Allan 2 mins 5.2 secs
1927 C. B. Allan 2 mins 2.8 secs
1928 E. B. Smith 2 mins 3.2 secs (dead heat)
page 107
Mile
1905 F. A. de la Mare 4 mins 55 secs
1906 F. A. de la Mare 4 mins 47 secs
1912 F. F. Reid 4 mins 52.2 secs
1913 H. Williams 4 mins 52.8 secs
1914 A. Hudson 4 mins 32 secs
1915 H. Williams 4 mins 44 secs
1919 S. A. Wiren 5 mins 20.8 secs
1923 K. M. Griffin 4 mins 42.8 secs
1924 A. D. Priestley 4 mins 31.8 secs
1927 A. D. Priestley 4 mins 36.8 secs
1945 I. C. McDowall 4 mins 39.2 secs
Three Miles
1908 T. Rigg 16 mins 13.8 secs
1909 T. Rigg 15 mins 56 secs
1910 T. Rigg 16 mins 13 secs
1911 T. Rigg 16 mins 8 secs
1912 H. Williams 16 mins 52 secs
1913 A. Hudson 15 mins 38.6 secs
1914 A. Hudson 15 mins 24 secs
1915 H. Williams 16 mins 10.6 secs
1919 H. Williams 17 mins 27 secs
1924 A. D. Priestley 15 mins 33 secs
1938 D. R. Scrymgeour 15 mins 22 secs
1939 D. R. Scrymgeour 14 mins 55.6 secs (record)
120 yards hurdles
1907 T. M. Holmden 17.2 secs
1908 A. H. Bogle 18.2 secs
1909 A. H. Bogle 17.2 secs
1911 G. S. Strack 17.6 secs
1912 G. S. Strack 17.4 secs
1913 G. S. Strack 16.8 secs
1920 A. Jackson 17.2 secs
1921 A.Jackson (no time given)
1927 W. G. Kalaugher 16.4 secs
1928 F. S. Ramson 16.6 secs
1929 F. S. Ramson 16.6 secs
1930 F. S. Ramson 16 secs
1936 P. T. Bowie 15.4 secs
1938 E. M. Irving 16.8 secs
1939 E. M. Irving 16.2 secs
1945 J. E. Drummond 17 secs
440 yards hurdles
(First run in 1903. Changed to 3ft. hurdles in 1922)
1903 A. S. Henderson 62.4 secs
1908 A. H. Bogle 66.8 secs
1909 A. H. Bogle 66.2 secs
1912 G. S. Strack 66.2 secs
1913 C. H. E. Strack 65 secs
1919 G.G. Aitken 68.2 secs
1920 A. Jackson 63.4 secs
1921 A. Jackson 60.2 secs
1928 F. S. Ramson 61.6 secs
1929 F. S. Ramson 59.4 secs
1930 F. S. Ramson 59.6 secs
1931 F. S. Ramson 59 secs
1941 D. Tossman 59.8 secs
1945 D. Tossman 58.8 secs
Putting the 16 lb. Weight
1931 F. S. Ramson 32ft. 8.5 ins.
1932 H. M. Dawson 36 ft. 4.5 ins.
Throwing the 16 lb. Hammer
1910 J. Wilson 98 ft. 3 ins.
1948 A. Marshall 102 ft. 3 ins.
Throwing the Discus
(First held in 1936)
1948 A. Marshall 123 ft.
Throwing the Javelin
(First held in 1930)
1939 J.S.Adams 167 ft. 8 ins.
High Jump
1912 R G. Hall-Jones 5 ft. 3 ins.
1913 F. G. Hall-Jones 5 ft. 4 ins.
1926 G. J. Sceats 5 ft. 7.5 ins.
1927 G. J. Sceats 5 ft. 11 ins.
1929 F. S. Ramson 5 ft. 5.5 ins. (dead heat)
1935 B. M. Mcintosh 5 ft. 6 ins.
Long Jump
1908 F. W. B. Goodbehere 20 ft. 9 ins.
1913 B. Egley 21 ft.
1919 P. K. Bryan 18 ft. 9.5 ins.
1927 W. G. Kalaugher 21 ft. 9.25 ins.
1929 F. S. Ramson 22 ft.
1930 D. Barker 21 ft. 6.5 ins.
1931 D. Barker 21 ft. 4.5 ins.
1932 D. Barker 21 ft. 7.75 ins.
Pole Vault
(First held in 1936)
1947 P. F. M. Giles 9 ft. 0.25 ins.
Mile Walk
1902 A. Quartley 8 mins. 29.4 secs.
1913 A. B. Sievwright 7 mins. 11 secs.
1914 A. B. Sievwright 7 mins. 6 secs.
1915 A. B. Sievwright 7 mins. 13.4 secs.
1926 D. Jackson 6 mins. 46.4 secs.
1934 S. G. Eade 7 mins. 3.8 secs. (dead heat)
1947 B. J. Pohlen 7 mins. 10.4 secs.
1948 B. J. Pohlen 7 mins. 12.2 secs.
220 yards hurdles
First event 1935: no winners from V.U.C.
Hopt Step and Jump
First held 1934: no winners from V.U.C.
Relay Races
V.U.C. 10 times (1907, '08, '22, '23, '24, '25, '28, '29, '30, '33).
Winners of the Ladies' Cup
(Held by athlete or athletes scoring the greatest number of points in the Tournament)
1907 F. W. B. Goodbehere
1908 F. W. B. Goodbehere
1912 F. W. B. Goodbehere (equal with another)
1919 A. Jackson (equal with another)
1920 L. A. Tracy (equal with another)
1921 L. A. Tracy
1927 W. G. Kalaugher
1928 F. S. Ramson (equal with two others)
1929 F. S. Ramson
1930 F. S. Ramson and C. H. Jenkins (equal with another)
1931 F. S. Ramson (equal with two others)
1932 F. H. Stephenson
1933 F. H. Stephenson (equal with another)
1939 J. P. Eastwood (equal with three others)
1940 J. Sutherland (equal with three others)

Women's Events

440 yards Relay
1947 V.U.C.
100 yards
1947 M. Shouler 12.2 secs.
80 metres hurdles
No V.U.C. winners
Javelin Throwing
1947 J. Flett 75 ft. 6.5 ins.
High Jump
No V.U.C. winners
page 108

ATHLETIC WOODEN SPOON—

Held by V.U.C. 15 times (1903, '04, '14, '15, '34, '35, '36, '37, '38, '40, '41, '45, '46, '47, '48).

WINNERS OF ATHLETIC SHIELD—

Held by V. U. C. 10 times (1908, '12, '13, '19, '20, '21, '26, '27, '28, '29).

Athletic Club Captain
1904 G.F.Dixon
1905 T. E. Y. Seddon
1906 T. E. Y. Seddon
1907 G. V. Bogle
1908 G.V. Bogle
1909 J. McL. Hogben
1910 A. H. Bogle
1911 J. L. Short
1912 G. S. Strack
1913 G. S. Strack
1914 C. H. E. Strack
1915 A. B. Sievwright
1916 R. V. Kay
1917 R.V.Kay
1918 N. A. J. Barker
1919 N. A. J. Barker
1920 N. A. J. Barker
1921 G. H. Lusk
1922 G. H. Lusk
1923 H. McCormick
1924 H. McCormick
1925 H. McCormick
1926 H. McCormick
1927 H. McCormick
1928 H. McCormick
1929 H. McCormick
1930 F. S. Ramson
1931 F. S. Ramson
1932 C. B. Allan
1933 C.B.Allan
1934 S. G. Eade
1935 S. G. Eade
1936 S. G. Eade
1937 W. R. Birks
1938 L. S. Black
R. G. Freeman
1939 J. S. Adams
1940 R. L. S. Black
D. R. Scrymgeour
1941 D. R. Scrymgeour
1942 R. M. Daniell
1943 R. M. Daniell
1944 R. M. Daniell
1945 I. C. McDowall
1946 J. E. Drummond
1947 T. H. Benjamin
1948 T. H. Benjamin
1949 J. F. Goldfinch

F. W. Duckworth