Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 41, Number 70, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 21 May 1909 — High School Athletes Lost an Opportunity. [ARTICLE]

High School Athletes Lost an Opportunity.

It did ii6t dawn on the athletes in the Rensselaer high school that they had a great amount of track team talent until it was too late to do much in the way of meeting other 'schools and of putting up much of a competition at the state meet which will be held next Saturday at Purdue. The boys indulged in no practice and track work was altogether neglected. Last Saturday a few ot the lads who really have considerable undeveloped athletic talent went to Monticello, where the high school has devoted considerable time to track athleties, and held a friendly practice meet with our old rivals. Much to the surprise of the home boys they made a very. excellent showing and loßt the contest by a score of only 31 to 46. The Monticello boys took first in. the White county meet and have several athletes who will make a creditable showing at the state meet. Meyers won two firsts at Monticello, taking without exertion the high and broad Jumps. Jay Miller took a second or two in the sprints and shows great possibilities as a short distance runner. Duvall and Kirk also figured in points and With an earlier start could have made good. Dr. Gwin, an old track man during his college days, and who developed a successful high school track team here three and four years ago, took some of the embryo athletes out to the stock farm Monday evening of this week and found that several had prospects that could be developed with a little work. It has been about decided to have both Meyers and Miller enter in the state meet and possibly one or two others may also enter. Meyers can go 5 feet and 4 inches in the high jump, which may land him a state first. Miller is a coining athlete and while the short practice may not put him in fehape to capture any of the state events he will be in form for another year. Probably the practice will, be continued and an effort made to have Monticello come here for a meet a week from next Saturday, May 29th.