Evening star., 1941-07-13


Joe Bill Stephens writer will take
np each member of this unusual
family group individually, beginning
with the oldest:
Joseph, jr., 20, has won many
awards in the past through his
ability in the 100-yard breast stroke
and 50-yard free style. Since the
age of 12. Joe has been swimming
in competition at Rosedale Play
ground meets and with the North
east Boys Club. Not SO long ago
he surprised everyone by taking
first place in the 100-yard back
stroke. for which he had but little
practice, at a Boys Club meet.
While Joe has taken an interest in
swimming, he found that basketball
was more his sport, and by his ex-
eeptional playing on the Eastern
High School team he won scholar
ship to George washington Uni
VerSlty.
Rita. Is, also has found herself
adept at the l00-yard breast stroke
and 50-yard free style In 1889 Rita
Won the women's District breast
stroke championship. Last summer
she took third place in the breast
stroke competition, and last Febru-
sry came in for second place. Rita
has always had outstanding parts,
as have others in the family, in the
annual aQuacade given in Takoma
Park under the auspices of the Dis
trict Recreation Department. Since
she began swimming competltlvely
about three years ago, Rita has al
ways been a member of the Am
bassador swim team, and has also,
incidentally, won over l3 medals.
Rita was graduated last month from
Eastern High and will enter Wilson
Teachers College in September to
study physical education.
Record Breaker.
George (Gee), II, is more OF
slandlubber" athlete, his specially
being football, closely followed by
baseball and basket ball, in all of
which he has shown his ability. A
sophomore at Eastern during the
last school year, it seems probable
that In the future he will be an
exceptional athlete. But when Gee
does swim he prefers the 100-yard
breast stroke. In 1889 he was
awarded the outstanding water
front medal at Camp Reeder.
Don, Is, also of Eastern, is the
record breaker of the family. At
Bradley Beach, N. j., last summer
Don received the winning trophies
for two new 50-yard free style relay
team records in the 1l5-pound class.
AS a member of the Northeast Boys
Club in 1899, Don received the
Rergmann Award as the outstand-
ing gentleman athlete sportsman
Of the year.
Carol. IA, of Eliot Junior High
has been swimming for three years
and stars in the 50-yard free style
and 25-yard back stroke. Last Feb
ruary in an Ambassador team meet
Carol proved herself by placing first
IN the 40-yard free style. Also dur
ing the whole of last summer Carol
swan her way to many playground
awards.
Best In SpOrtsmanship.
Betty, l3, who attends Holy Name
School, has been centering her abil
ity for two years on the 25iyard and
50-yard breast stroke races. At the
close of summer competition at the
Rosedale pool last summer Betty
was acclaimed and awarded as the
most improved swimmer of the
summer, best in craftsmanship and
achievement.
Richard and Charles, II and II,
respectively, both attending Holy
Name, first began swimming last
summer. but with steady improve
ment should be with the rest of the
family in winning competitions
Richard qualified for the city meet
last year, but was kept out by
bad tooth.
Pat. 9. is heralded as the up-and-
coming swim star of tomorrow.
Even at this early age developing
talent has been seen. Already she
has won two medals at Cumber-
tbIlu NN1u.J ana tIOSeudlt II1eblS.
The entire Essex family agrees that
Pat Is a natural"
Joan. 8, like her two young
brothers, still is in the learning
stage.
Grueling Practice.
Rita, who is no doubt the best
and most advanced swimmer of the
family. said that only by persistent
, training can a swimmer hope to
attain and keep records. BY many
1t Is felt that practice for SWIM
ming competitions is even more
grueling than football or basket ball
practice.
All 10 of the family are either
senior or Junior life savers, coach
ing for which most of them re-
ceived from Jake Hengstler, we'll
known Washington swimming coach.
The Essexes regret that SO few
high schools in the District have
swimming teams.
This family of champions do
most of their swimming at the Air
port, Ambassador Hotel and Rose
dale Playground pools. Not one OF
the older ones learned to swim be-
fore the age of 10. incidentally,
neither OF their ptents can swim
-$~ II