Page 204 - YB1899
P. 204
(raCk and fitld. If membership in the Athletic League has done nothing more for Western Maryland it has certainly stimulated an interest in track and field sports. Previous to last year, when the League was formed, we had had neither a track 'nor field team for several years, and as far as we know, we had never contested with other colleges in this branch of Athletics. In the meet last year in Baltimore we made a very creditable showing, scoring fourteen points and standing third on the list. Gallaudct, in second place, scored only four more points. Our relay team, con- sisting of L. C. Wells, C. C. Baker, Kinney and Ridgely, did exceptionally well, winning first place. This year, because of the long continuance of winter, the men were unable 'to begin outdoor training as early as desired. We were at one time considering the advisability of sending a track team to compete in the races at the University of Pennsylvania, but because of the inability to train, the idea had to be abandoned. However, we hope that it may be possible to be represented in those contests next year. Our own meet-that of the Intercollegiate Association-will be held this spring at St. John's College, Annapolis. We are not very sanguine of success, but we are nevertheless hopeful. The team has been training only a few weeks, but the captain (c. C. Baker) reports that the men are rounding into condition, and he thinks he has developed some good material. As this goes to press there is every indication that the track team at least will do good work in the coming meet. It consists of six men. Our greatest fear is that they, or part of them, being new and untried to a certain extent, will "lose' their nerve," in the vernacular of the athlete, when they find themselves in an unknown country and before unfriendly, or, rather, unsympathetic spectators. This is a weak point in many Western Maryland athletes, it seems, and the sooner it is corrected the better. The field team consists of only one man, Roberts, who will try the weights. It has been reduced from five by the sickness and injury of several good men. Whatever the result of the meet may be we will not be discouraged. The men can gain experience, and that will be of much service to them next spring. "V. M. C. should be represented by a good team then, for the material is abundant and it is not likely that there will be as many disadvantages to labor under as there were this year. Let the men train early and hard and a goodly number of points will be scored. 194