Central Collegiate Institute - Analecta Yearbook (Calgary, Alberta Canada)

Page 29 text:

The Analecta 27 TRACK MEET Central High School again bowed down to Crescent Heights in the Interscholastic sports. For the amount of training, however, our athletes acquitted themselves very well. We managed to secure a few points in A Class, Jack Ford coming second in the high jump and twenty yard dash, and our relay team win¬ ning a third. In B Class, when the smoke cleared, we found ourselves with only one second place. This being won by Charles Payne. It is in C Class that C.C.I. won most of her points. It was in this class that our tall friend Johnny Souter so distinguished himself by winning C Class individual honors. Johnny came first in the running broad, hop step and jump and twelve pound shot. In the running broad he set a new Inter¬ scholastic record. Walter Stilwell ran Soutar a close second by being only one-half a point behind. The relay team came second, those on it were, Wiedenhammer, Mitchell, Webster and Soutar. In D Class Wilfred Bell came second in the running high jump and Maurice Fidler came third in the shot put. Reuben Gardner was the sensation of this class by running rings around his rivals in the hundred yard dash. The relay team came second owing to a fumble by one of the boys after they had it almost cinched. Those on the team were R. Gardner, L. Gardner, M. Fidler and B. Harris. Jimmy Hunter came third in the 880 yard run. This ended the day and we sincerely offer congratu¬ lations to Crescent Heights for the splendid showing. All details were capablv handled by our old friend Captain Ferguson. Mr. Editor, Dear Sir:— The question around the school and other places connected with the school is, “Why is it that we are not getting the results at the Field Day that we used to? Where has the spirit disappeared in the activity of the sports? Before, the pupils used to look on sports day as a day in which they were to triumph over the other schools but now they just look at it as a half-holiday and a day in which they will not be victors but pupils carrying defeat. We never will be vanquishers again as long as that spirit prevails for the heart seems to be taken out of us at the very first. “Why?” Crescent Heights gets a half holiday about four weeks or so before the meet in which the whole school takes part in a field day of their own and in this way they are able to select the best Athletes of the school and give them special training until a few days before the meet so that they are in perfect condition. Unfortunately at C.C.I. we do not have such a chance. I do not think there is any good reason why we should not have such an oppor¬ tunity. We waste just as much time and more in my estimation, because we are let out (competitors who desire to go in for the sports) two or three periods a week about a week before the “Day” which doesn’t give the athletes a fair chance or the school either. Isn’t it possible that we can have a half day off about four or five weeks before the event in which we can hold the eliminations in the

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The Analecta school? If we could do that then we would be able to have real practices at night or after four at Victoria Park. With the help of the teachers to give us a few hints, etc., we would be able to bring one shield back to the school at least. The new boys that are at the school we do not know anything about, and if some one doesn’t recommend them they do not get a chance to show what their ability is. So, many a time good athletes, who might bring honors to the school, are excluded. It has been said that the school work would be neglected if we had a holiday, but I don’t think so, because then we wouldn’t need periods off to choose the contestants. Another thing the pupils going into the sports lose these periods in doing their best for the school while the others are able to get the work and do nothing at all. To train for an athletic meet and to be in a fairly good condition an athlete must start training about two months before the meet to be able to accomplish results. He must not train in a haphazard way either, as this would spoil all the good in him. It is impossible to choose our con¬ testants two months before the meet but we could choose them a month before any way, instead of two or three days as has been done in this and former years. C.C.I. wouldn’t have made the points she did last year if it had not been for a few boys who continually kept themselves in good condition. But even then they couldn’t stand the pace set by the athletes from the North Hill. An example of this is—although Crescent Heights only won one individual Championship they were the proud holders of the five shields at the end of the day. There is no doubt about it that C.C.I. still has a collection of good athletes because they shine at Rugby and Basketball, but why not get the same spirit into the Field Day? Last year we didn’t have a person around the school who would lead the yells. Let us show some life next year. If the sports are worth going in for at all, why not go into them with the right spirit and say you are going to win. But we will not be able to go into them with this attitude if there is not a change made in the elimina¬ tions. This is not written by a person who doesn’t know anything about athletic meets but one who has been in them and realizes exactly what condition is necessary and what training a boy needs. Here’s hoping we see a change next year and a great deal more in¬ terest taken by everybody from the principal and teachers right down to the smallest pupil in the school. And if you aren’t able to enter into the sports there is no elimination trials for the cheering squad. I want to emphasize once more to get results give the pupils a half holiday and have a preliminary Field Day to choose the contestants for the October meet a month before time and give them a fair chance. The teachers would be of great help if they went out with the boys and helped them in some way or another. If this advice is taken I see no reason why we shouldn’t have better results next fall. —ONE WHO KNOWS.