The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-03-30
Freeman Is Again Favored To Sweep Badminton Titles
War Priorities Take Swat At Bird Eaters
BY BURToN BENJAMIN.

NEA service Stan correspondent
 Durham, March 30.-Three hun dred intrepid contortionists, who wind themselves into prezels chas- ing IA to 16 goose feathers attached to hunk of cork, go into their thre-day dance at the Duke gym nasium, April 2, in the sixth annual United States badminton champion ships.
 It may be the final fling for the lusty bird batters. War and pri- critics are taking toll. Many of the experts have tossed away bats for guns. Goose feathers have been requistioned by the government for pillows, and gut manufacturers are producing surgical string.
 High Lama of the nations five million shuttlecock chasers is a personable, blond 2l-year- son of Presbyterian minister, David Guthrie Freeman of Pomona Col lyege at Claremonta, Calf.
 Badminton's DiMaggio-a 5-foot 11-inch, 150-pound pre-medical student-is triple king of the sport, easily whips top-notch pro- fessionals. Defending champion in singles, doubles and mixed doubles Freeman is favored to duplicate his sweep this year.
 FREEMAN SPOTS STARS
 l2 POINTS AND WINS
 It would be a story book climax to 8 brilliant athletic career, which started when he won a national title at 18 after two weks' practice. An accomplished tennis player and a 70-shooter in golf, Freeman joins the Army Medical Corps Reserve in July with orders to continue his studies at Harvard until graduation
 Freeman spots somt of the 10 ranking players from eight to 12 points and wins. He gave 12 points and serve to Reaf Haney, ranked No. 3 in California, where the inn portant bird-bopperS live, and beat him with @ chocolate milk shake as the stake.
 We all have our moments when we can put over an exceptional shot," says Skeeter Erikson, another Pacific coast ace, but Dave can put them over all the time. He's consistently phenomenal"
 CHAMPIONS LEADING
 RIVALS IN SERVICE Two of Freeman's closest rivals, Ken Quigley of Cleveland John Murphy of San Diego, seeded No. ? and 4, respectively, are in the Army Air Corps, are doubtful entries at Durham. Southern champion John ny Ayers is in the Navy, will not be present.
 Along with Erikson and Haney Chester Goss of Hollywood, l5-year- old Joe Aston of San Diego, Carl Loveday of Montclair, N. J., rated No. 2 sectionally, and Hary Hackett of Philadelphia are the best of the ? challengers.
 } Tn the women's competition, ] pretty Evelyn Boldrick, U. o. L. A co-ed who won the national singles 5 in 1940, is favored to regain it thi' } season due to the ineligibility ol 194l queen, Thelma Kingsbury. } She will be hard pressed by Heller zabriswkie, San Francisco; Janet Wright, Oakland; Mrs. Mary Whittemore Schlemn, Boston; Patsy Donovan, Buffalo; Zoe Smith Seattle; Helen Gibson, Westport Conn.,; Julia Pickens, Charlotte, N C.; and 14-year-old Shirley Fry of Okron.
 Gov. J. Melville Broughton of North Carolina will bat out the first shuttlecock and says he is in great shape for the ordeal. It is the first time on record that a gov- ernor ever got the bird and liked 1t.
 But the story of the tournament is a familiar one. It was Jones in golf, Tilden in tennis and today 1t is Louis in the ring ad MacMitchell o the track.
 In Durham it's young Dave Free man in what may be his last whirl as the worlds foremost badminton player.