Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1920-03-30
THELMADARBY
AND REFS GIRL
TO LEAVE CITY
Famous Girl Swimmers Want
More ActiOn-Will Move
to Chicago.
NO MEETS IN /. A. A. U.

Unless swimming conditions are I'M
proved and promise is given by I. A.
A. U. officials that stronger swimmers
will be brought here shortly, Indianapolis
will loose two Of the best girl swimmers
in the country next fall.
Thelma Darby and Regina Refs, pair
of fair swimmers who have brought In
dianapolis to the front in the water ranks
during the last few years, announced to-
day, through Fred Darby, father OF
Thelma, that they have been seriously
contemplating leaving Indianapolis to
join the Illinois Athletic club of Chicago
and unless they hear from the officials
of the Indiana A A. u within short
time, they will take the dnal step.
HOLDS FOUR
NATIONAL TITLES.
Miss Dairy. 16-year- old school girl, who
has turned the swimming world topsy-
turvey during the last three years with
her wonderful performa noes, started her
career under the cOlors of the Independ-
ent Athletic club of this city. While a
member Of that team Miss Darby was
! entered In most OF the important Central
A. A. L. events at Chicago. aud she never
failed to make a good showing.
In two years she captured four national
titles and twenty Central A. A. T. cham
| pIonships. Besides this, she holds forty
three medals for winning second and
third places in various c. A A. U. events
Miss Refs sprung into prominence last
| year, by her local performances and II
Is believed that she can travel in COM
pany with Miss Darby, should they move
to Chicago. She also entered the game
with the !. A. G. and while there was
coached by William Merriam.
Two years ago. finding competition
scarce In this section of the country,
Misses Darby and Refs were sent to
Chicago by the I. a. G. to compete In
Central A A. q. events At that time
II was rumored that they would take up
their residence In Chicago and join the
Illinois Athletic club, but both girls
declared they had no intention of do
Ing so.
around that q difficulty arose between
the two girls and the I. A. c. officials
and they severed relations with the club.
NO ACTION
LAST YEAR.
Last year the l. A. A. [. was formed
and Misses Darby and Refs, belonging
to the Indianapolis Athletic and Canoe
club. which was enrolled In the /. A: A.
! T., were barred from competition against
the strong Illinois swimmers.
The last swimming season was an idle
one for the two young ladies', but they
are determined that they shall get In on
all the fun" this year.
BOTH HIGH
SCHOOL STUDENTS.
Miss Darby is now a sophomore at
/ Shortridge high school and Miss Refs is
I In the same class az Tech. According
{ to an announcement made by Mr.: Darby
( the girls plan TO leave Indianapolis I'm
mediately after the school year closes
/ to spend the summer In Chicago aud
/ enter school there next year
/ They have been practically dropped
| from the swimming game for the past
year but both have been training hard
Z at the local Y. W. c. A. and they are IN
perfect condition. Miss Darby, II any
I thing, is stronger than ever and deter
/ mined 20 60 after big honors.
Mr.. Merriam, who coached the girl'
when they entered the game, is nov
. swimming instructor at the l. A. c. c
and anxious 10 keep the girls here q
/ compete in the Indiana A. A O., but Mr.
Darby stated today that in view Of tn
llct that the canoe club has no tanl
and there are no indications Of then
/ building one, their chances Of holding
( the girls are very slim.
Mr.. Darby says the big thing that ha
caused his daughter and Miss Refs &
make up their minds about going TO tn
! Central A. A. 4. is the fact that Their
are no prominent girl swimmers In tn
state and the Indiana A. A Y. has faile'
to stage any aquatic events for girls.