The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1938-04-21
HERSETH SAYS
Continued from Page One)

There is no way of telling just how far
Harvey Tjader could have gone in this
event had he not met with the mis-
fortune of temporarily losing the sight
of one eye. This necessitated his
dropping out of school a year ago,
thereby becoming ineligible for further
competition while in high school.
In the 100 yard free style race the
selection goes to Urho Elfving and Joe
Grahek. Elfving is co-holder of the
300 yard medley relay record, swimming
the 100 yard free style as the last leg of
the race Joe Grahek could, and prob
ably would have developed into the
fastest 100 yard man we have ever had,
if he had devoted little more time to
it. His heart was set on diving, and
his main aim was to equal Leonard
Klun's record of winning the state div
ing title three years in succession, which
he successfully did In reality, however,
he was better swimmer than diver.
In diving We have a remarkable
record of eleven championships divided
between such stellar performers as
Walter Nappa, Joe Pucel, Leonard Kun
and Joe Grahek. 1t would, perhaps,
seem logical that such divers as Leonard
Klun and Joe Grahek, who won three
state championships each, would be
given top ranking, but such is not the
case. ..
Way back in 1924, the first year
we had swimming here, there was a
little fellow named Walter Nappa, who
received his first lesson in swimming
that year as a sophomore in high
school. He had very little of what one
would call physical makeup to be-
come an athlete-far from becoming a
great athlete. This little bow-legged and
short fellow had that something" that
it takes to become great athlete. He
had determination, will to do, and a
soul to dare. At the time of his gradu-
alton from high school, in 1927, he had
not only become great all around
swimmer, but that year he accomp-
lished something that no other Ely
high school athlete had ever done. He
won the state championship in diving,
and was acclaimed by Coach Thorpe
of the University of Minnesota as the
greatest diver ever developed in a
Minnesota high school.
Following his graduation from the
Ely high school he entered the Uni
versity of Minnesota. While there he
was consistent point winner on their
swimming team. In his senior year he
placed second in diving in the National
intercollegiate championship in Chi
cago, losing out to Mickey Riley, Ma
tional and Olympic champion. On the
strength of this excellent record he
must still be considered as the most
outstanding diver Minnesota has pro-
duced, and hence, be given first place
on our all-time team.
Leonard Klun, who placed fourth in
the Northwest, and fourth in the state
meet while in the eighth grade, and
with three state titles and two North
west championships to his credit, is
honored as Walter Nappa's team mate
in diving.
In the medley relay the honor goes
to George Sutherland, back stroke;
Ralph Majerle, breast stroke, and Remi
Pellikka, free style. George Sutherland
was also a member of the championship
| free style relay team in 1884
In the free style relay We have four
of the fastest swimmers ever to perform
for the Ely high school. They are Urho
Elfving, Leonard Klun, Eugene mccarthy
and Joe Grahek
I hope this selection meets with the
approval of the most critical among our
swimming enthusiasts. If not, would
welcome the selections of others who
might have different opinion regard
ing an all-star aggregation.