Michael Earwaker a good prospect for Empire games in 1958.

Michael Earwaker's decision to give up rugby in 1958 and concentrate on his athletic ability for the Empire Games in Cardiff is a reality. His half mile winning run at the New Zealand championships as he set the track on fire with a brillant time of 1.52.5.  It was not the time but the manner of his achievement that took praise.

Theo Allen, former New Zealand and empire games champion was greatly impresssed.  Writing in the Otago Daily Times. Allen had  not hesitation is saying that Michael's time would definitely reward him a nomination for the games.
The selectors must appreciate that Michael was relatively inexperienced in championship half mile events when he lined up against the best in New Zealand at Hutt Park. In all probability he has raced over the distant in all but a dozen times.
Primarly he set out to win the national title by the easiest possible method - allowing his opposition to make all the pace and then using his great speed to crush them in the final drive to the tape.
Earwaker achieved his goal in the manner he planned.  Had the pace of the race been faster, Allen is convinced that he would still have been first to the tape.  Earwaker ran to beat his opponents and not the clock.
Earwaker is the ideal type of athlete for the 880 yrds and is physically strong with ample dash.  Currently he is holder of the New Zealand junior 440 yrds and his fighting qualities have never been suspect, Allen says.
Most athletes improve on their home form at the Empire games and Earwaker would be no exeption and his time on Saturday would have given him fourth place equal with New Zealand's W. Baillie to the English runners who filled the first three places at the Vancouver games.
The race was won by Derek Johnson in 1.50.7, with Brian Hewson second in 1.51.2.  Johnson's time broke Pat Boot's record established at the 1938 games and Hewson's equalled it. 

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