Once more into the Breach, Dear Friends, or Close the Wall up with our Wooden Spoon

We have shown again the creme de la creme of Victoria's athletic strength is really only whey in the Tournament jug. We were certain that we would not win the wooden spoon this year, some of use went so far as to believe that Victoria would emerge triumphant. But we brought the Wooden Spoon back.

Had our winners been better supported by the second strings in our team, we would have had a chance of winning the Athletic Shield. Victoria won six men's titles with only Otago doing as well. But we lacked those vital second placings that the other colleges had; the second placings that enabled Canterbury to tie with OU for the Shield.

Our six titles were won by three men—Batten (100, 220, 440yds.), Turnbull (one and three miles), and Lissienko (discus). This only follows precedence established in the days of the early "Victorian Wooden Spoon period"—we always manage to produce a few "stars" but our overall strength (?) is our weakness.

Dave Batten performed very well although his times were not the best he has done; this was due perhaps to windy conditions, a rather dead track and a very strenuous season which has left him a little stale. Dave has been a very good club member and it is unfortunate that he will not be eligible for Tournament next year. His running is very attractive to watch—he has the knack of appearing to move effortlessly even when he is flat out.

P. Turnbull, who has completed his course at Massey, will also not be running for us at Tournament next year. He ran well to win the mile and three mile events. More will be heard of him in athletics in future. He is the best distance runner we have had since Clem Hawke—he broke Hawke's record at the interfaculty sports. His times at Tournament were 4mins. 28.8secs. for the mile, and for the three miles.

Ikar Lisslenko was severely handicapped by having the flu and surprised himself by winning the discus throw with 125ft. 9 5-8in. Owing to an operation in October he could not attain good form this season, but he should do well next year. He was unfortunate in not getting a blue, as his performance merited one.

In the women's events, we had Helen Burr winning the high jump with 4ft 10in.—1/34in. short of her NZU record. Helen was unlucky not to have been included in the Empire Games team, as her jumping has been consistently good throughout the early part of the season. It appears that the Games selectors made a slip somewhere. Right now, she's had enough of athletics for one year.

Barbara Hill came second in the 75 yards' sprint to N. Gourley, of Otago. Barbara is not running as well as last year; it seems that this is one of those off-form seasons for her.

Iuen Hyslop did not perform as well as he usually does. He will do better next year, as this is his first year as a senior.

John McLevie will improve. He has only started seriously at the 440 yards hurdles this year.

Gerry Barnard and Fred Marshall could not go to Christchurch. They probably would have addeel to our meagre total of points had they been able to go.

In all fairness to the club, it must be said that the officials and active members have, as usual, been doing a lot of hard work to whip up enthusiasm. Gerry Fox, Dave Tossman, Stan Eade, and Trevor Levy have been towers of strength in this respect for many years.

If all the athletes who attend VUC would run for us instead of outside clubs, as quite a number do, we would have a side capable of winning the athletic shield.

Athletics is a serious sport. It requires more training and time than just mere "recreation." But it offers more in exchange—fitness, self-discipline, travelling, and a good social side. Let's gird for the battle. And remember the motto—Nihil Bastardio Carborundum. Don't let them do it to you.