THE first winter meeting of the Athletic Association took place in the Gymnasium on the morning of Saturday last. An encouraging number of entries was made, and the meeting was very successful; the only drawback being that on account of the number of contests, there was not time for the whole programme to be carried out.
The first contest was in swinging of Indian clubs; the contestants being Messrs. Shilleto, '79, and Martin, '77. Mr. Shilleto took the prize, after a very good exhibition. A contest on the parallel bars followed, and was participated in by Messrs. Brett, '77, Livermore, L. S. S., Sigourney, '78, and Preston, '79. Much time was wasted through the lack of some order of movements, by the performance of which the relative merits of the contestants might have been more quickly decided. After much deliberation the prize was awarded to Mr. Brett. The standing high-jump was next in order, and was well contested by Messrs. Hall, '76, Latham, '77, and Martin, '77. Mr. Hall fell out first, and Messrs. Latham and Martin both cleared the rope at four feet seven and a half inches. As neither of the contestants could jump any higher, a tie was declared, and the cup was awarded to Mr. Latham, as he had given his opponent two extra trials. The jumping was exciting, and was much applauded.
Mr. Wiley, '77, then won the prize for exercises on the horizontal bar, performing some difficult feats in a very graceful manner. The lightweight wrestling, between Messrs. Brett and Latham, then took place. The first bout, lasting twenty-five minutes, was spent in manoeuvring to obtain a hold; Mr. Latham finally threw his opponent, after an exciting struggle, in which Mr. Brett had the under-hold. In the second bout Mr. Latham threw Mr. Brett on his hands and knees, but as this was not a fall, and as the match had already occupied so much time, its conclusion was postponed until the next meeting.
The next event was a sparring contest between Messrs. Riggs, '76, and Weld, '79. Mr. Riggs was declared the winner, after two bouts, the first lasting ten and the second three minutes. Mr. Weld, though lacking the science and quickness of his opponent, stood his ground pluckily. Another sparring-match then took place between Messrs. Mudge, '74, and Denton, L. S. S. Mr. Mudge's blows were delivered with considerable force, but the majority of them were skilfully parried by Mr. Denton, who finally succeeded in getting his opponent's head in chancery. At the end of two bouts, of five minutes each, the contest was decided in favor of Mr. Denton. It was the intention of the managers that the two victors, Messrs. Riggs and Denton, should conclude the meeting by sparring together, but as it was already quite late, the match was postponed until the next meeting. More interest was taken in the sparring matches than in any of the other exercises, and it is to be hoped that this sport will be well represented in future meetings.
Taken as a whole the meeting was very successful, but as the time on Saturday morning is so limited, it is advisable that the delays which were frequent on this occasion should be avoided in future. The meetings in the Gymnasium will be very useful in affording students an opportunity to show the results of their winter training, and to encourage sparring, wrestling, and other sports which cannot take place at the spring or fall meetings. The interest which the audience took in the proceedings last Saturday show that these meetings of the association are an assured success.
B. T.
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