Mr. A. Pennington, son of Councillor and Mrs. John Pennington, a past scholar of Somerville Preparatory School, Albion-street, and now at Berkhamsted School, won the 100 yards flat race in the fourth Amateur Athletic Association Junior Championships open to boys of 16 and under 19 years of age.
The championships were decided on Saturday on the tree-girt track of London University at Motspur Park, the arrangements being carried out by the London Athletic Club. Members of the Australian, South African and Indian Empire Games teams watched, and Sir James Leigh-Wood, chairman of the British Empire Games Federation, presented the prizes.
Mr. A. Pennington, who is a member ol the Wallasey A.C., in winning the championship, completed the distance in 10 3-10 secs, and won by 4 feet. He equalled the record set up in 1931 by W. P. Heath (Notts A.C.).
Commenting upon this splendid performance, the special correspondent of
"The Times" stated in Monday's issue: "Promising as these boys showed themselves to be they will be lucky if they go as far as A. Pennington should go. Last year he was credited with an even hundred at Berkhamsted and later proved his worth by coming a meritorious third, two yards outside the Public Schools Sports record of 10 3-10 sec. In the last Public School Sports he was second, half a yard outside 10½ secs., and on Saturday he set up the A.A.A. Junior Furlong record at 22 9-10 secs., and equalled the A.A.A. Junior and Public Schools Hundred record of 10 3-10 secs, with the aid of a mere suspicion of a breeze. Such youthful consistency is most encouraging, particularly since he mastered the start after an anxious first heat and is growing out of the lanky stage.''
Mr. Pennington is indebted to his school coach, Mr. Guy M. Butler (Olympic runner and record holder), for having helped him by expert training. He is also desirous of thanking Mr. John Hayes, 12 Pleasant-street, New Brighton, for assistance in training, and the New Brighton A.F.C. for kindness in permitting him to train, during holidays, at the Rake-lane ground.
It is interesting to note that Sir J. S. K. Glover, another Wallaseyan was second in the 220 yards. He is an ex-champion for 100 yards.
Ends
Source - Wallasey News - Saturday, 14/07/1934
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