The next two heats were captured by English High-School sprinters, Kane getting the first and Duffy the second, in 4-3/5 sec. Eight heats were run off in all before the list of entries had been exhausted. Butler, Kane, and Duffy were called in the first semi-final, and speculation was intense as to whether the Worcester lad would survive the ordeal. Kane and Duffy realized that they had a worthy foe to deal with, and knew that they would have to strain every bit of energy to shut the Worcester man out and make the final round, but they were equal to the occasion.
Kennington, the third English High runner, did not have much trouble in claiming the second semi-final heat, and Wight of Brown and Nichols, ran second to him. In the third, Archibald of Hyde Park won the heat in a canter, though the time was 4-3/5 sec.; Sever of Brown and Nichols was able to catch a second. A peculiar thing happened in the final heat. At the crack of the pistol five of the six runners were off on a line; the sixth, Archibald, was set back a yard, which practically put him out. As the tape was reached there was scarcely a wavering of the line, but in the last few strides the sprinters shifted somewhat, though a blanket would have covered them as the post was passed. The judges deliberated long, and finally came to the conclusion that no decision could be reached, and the only way to settle the matter was to have four of the runners try it over; so Kane, Kennington, Duffy, all of English High, and Sever of Brown and Nichols, toed the scratch again. It was almost a repetition of the former heat, but Kennington was proclaimed the winner by the narrowest of margins, with Duffy second, and Kane third.
W. F. MOHAN.
Each school was allowed to make one entry in the 1000-yard run, the reason being that the narrowness of the track made it necessary to reduce numbers so as not to clog up the path. Mills of Chauncy Hall was a prime favorite, and nobody disputed his right to be called the winner, and most attention turned to his ability to make a new record, which he had been heard to say he would attempt. The New York schools had a chance last winter to see what kind of stuff Mills is made of when he won the mile at the Madison Square Garden, and on March 27 they will be given another opportunity. Mills rarely sets the pace, and in this instance held back to give the others this work to do. Kinsley of Worcester Academy started out at a 440 clip, with the evident intention of running some of the athletes off their feet in the first part of the race. Sullivan of Worcester High, the national interscholastic miler, was not to be lost in such a manner, and sailed after Kinsley as if he had wings. On the third lap Sullivan in some unaccountable way missed his footing and tumbled, and he was left behind. Meanwhile Mills was keeping his eyes open, and seeing his field lagging, made a dash for the lead and began to leave a gap between him and his nearest opponent. For two laps he ran round the track with a wonderful burst of speed, the spectators wildly cheering his efforts to shatter the record. There were no exclamations of surprise when it was announced that he had replaced 2 min. 33 sec. by 2 min. 30-1/5 sec. Kinsley was a quarter of a lap in the rear of Mills, and Falls of Phillips Exeter, an unknown runner, close upon the former.
The 300-yard run brought out some good running, but the time of last year was never in danger of being disturbed. In the very first heat Butler of Worcester High and George Hersey, of Worcester Academy, met, and the issue was breathlessly awaited. The former had the pole, and with this advantage—a big one, too, on the track conditions—swung round the corners in the lead. Hersey unfortunately was hedged in closely on all sides, and he just saved himself at the last moment by breaking his way through and coming in second.
W. W. COE.
Kennington and Kane of English High counted in the next heat, but the latter was disqualified, as on one of the corners he came in contact with Baker of Noble's School, and the latter was thrown. Baker was permitted to go into the final. Garrett and Winslow, two of Cambridge High and Latin's best, won heats, and the latter got a point for his school. Butler was the choice in the final heat, but it was expected that Kennington and Hersey would make him hustle. Kennington bowed to fate by going off his mark and losing a yard at the start. He was making up this distance in fine shape when he went down in a heap on a corner. Butler was not pushed to do his utmost, as Baker, who was coming after him in the stretch, was some yards away.
Worcester High had strong hopes of winning the 600-yard run, basing its faith on the presence of Dadmund, Mills, and Moran. Each one qualified in his heat to run in the final, and the High-School stock was going higher. When the test came Dadmund was found wanting, as his strength failed him. Lincoln, captain of the Boston Latin, was conspicuous in this event, as he held the lead till the last corner, fifteen yards from the worsted. Here Mills caught him, and together they ran shoulder to shoulder the remainder of the distance, Mills falling across the line in the van. It was a most thrilling finish and a victory richly earned, the audience appreciating the struggle.