Director of Harvard Athletics Protagonist in Tense Drama on Track in 1916--Pushed Meredith to Record

On the cinder track of the Harvard Stadium, surrounded by an hysterical crowd attending the annual Intercollegiate track meet, there was enacted a drama which for color and pulsing interest seldom has been equalled on an athletic field.

Two rival captains were the protagonists in this drama. One of them was W. J. Bingham '16, captain of the University track team. The other was T. E. Meredith, leader of the Pennsylvania runners.

Meredith was, and still is, the acknowledge king of middle-distance runners. Bingham, now Director of Athletics at the University, was a half miler of the first rank.

In the finals of the track events, Meredith was entered in both the 440 and the 880 yard events. In the quarter mile run the Red and Blue leader overhauled an early lead by Westmore Willcox Jr. '17, to burn up the track for a new world's record of 47.4 seconds.

One hour and ten minutes later Meredith came to the post for the half mile. At the crack of the gun Floto, of Princeton, got away into the lead. At the first turn Meredith's tremendous strides pulled him ahead with Floto falling back and Bingham close at his heels. As the pistol sounded the end of the first lap, Bingham forged ahead of Floto, and chased Meredith down the straightaway.

On the straightaway across the field both leaders lengthened out, Bingham pressing closely the flashing spikes of Meredith. At the last turn, the Harvard man was on the outside, breathing at Meredith's elbow.

Down the final stretch the chest of the sturdy Penn runner showed a yard and then two yards, ahead. The Red and Blue broke the worsted a yard and a half before the Crimson-jerseyed athete. The time of 1 minute, 53 seconds, set a new intercollegiate mark. Bingham's time, 1-5 of a second slower, still stands as the Harvard record.