The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1933-04-04
Every One Of Girls Who Won 10.
Mile Race Became Mar.
ried Soon After


Xavier, the husky young Philadel-
phtan who has three times won the
Wr1gley swim, married George Young
last winter, she was merely carrying
on what has become tradition among
winners Of that swimming classic.
Every one OF the girls who plunged
into cold Lake Ontario to win the 10
mile grind plunged into matrimony
shortly after she finished the race.
And not only the winners, but many
Of the unsuccessful swimmers have
done the same.
The first girl winner was Ethel
Hertle Of New York in 1928. She had
been = swimmer Of q family Of SWIM
mers, and tried hard in 1927, winning
q consolation prize of $4,000 for stick
Ing out II miles Of what was then
q 2l.mile course. When she came
back In 1928 to make q second effort,
= young man was observed coaching
her and watching over her training.
He was Prem Gary. After his pupil
had won the swim, there was q quiet
little party, and Ethel Hertle was
married to Prem Gary. They left on
q honeymoon over the waters Of the
lake that had brought them together.
The following year q laughing,
bright girl named Martha Norelius
entered the race. She was fresh from
Olympic honors that seemed to make
her an almost certain winner. She
had given up the amatuer status In
which she had beaten the world at
Amsterdam, and this was her first
professional race for q money prize.
She won, easily and smilingly. She
was the greatest swimmer In the
world.
Somewhere In the huge crowd that
watched her triumph and welcomed
her victory was Joe Wright, Canadas
champion oarSman, holder Of the Dia-
mond Souls for which he had rowed
against the worlds best at Henley.
And the worlds champion oarsman
gazed at the worlds champion SWIM
mer, and found her fair.
Early In 1880 Martha was divorced
from Writ A. McAllister, and there
was . fashionable wedding. Martha
did not swim that year. She went to
England with Joe while he had an
other try ct the Diamond Souls. He
lost. The following February q new
potential champion was born, Diane
Wright.
For the three years following, the
Wrigley Marathon has gone to hus-
Ky young Philadelphia girl, Margaret
Ravior. Her strength and stamina
made her unbeatable during that per-
iod. But almost equally prominent in
Toronto swimming circles during that
time was George Young, who had won
the Wrigley Marathon for men. and
been instrumental In bringing the
marathon to Toronto from Catalina
Island, where he won his great tri-
umph. George was prominent and
well liked In Toronto, and several
times he was reported engaged, once
to Jewell Cheatwood Of Terre Haute
Ind, swimmer who participated II
two Of the marathons here. But 1t wa
to Miss Ravior. the thrice-triumphant
miss, that 0eore finally lost his heart
The Youngs viii live in Toronto.
Thus al the girl winners Of the
Wrigley swim have plunged into mat.
rimony almost as soon as they shook
the waters Of Lake Ontario from
them. But not only the winners have
been thus favored. Many Of the lesser
contestants have consoled themselves
for loss Of the prize at swimming by
winning other prizes of q more per-
manent nature.
i i =
From Denver came q red-haired
girl, Ruth Towers. to try her luck
ct the marathon Of 1929. She came
In third, winning $4,000. She stayed
In Toronto that winter, intending to