And Helen was left with no one.
THE CHICAGO EVENING STANDARD
February 14, 1932
“Betty’s Back on Top”
Chicago—Three of North America’s most outstanding athletes lined up for a spectacular speedfest on Friday night. Hometown heroine Miss Betty Robinson, Cleveland’s Miss Stella Walsh, and Canada’s Miss Myrtle Cook faced off at an indoor meet at 24th Field Artillery Armory.
From the outset, the race promised plenty of excitement. A small but fervent contingent of Canadian fans, bedecked in red and white and brandishing flags, went wild when Miss Cook entered the arena. Miss Walsh’s entrance received a cooler reception, but it didn’t appear to faze her and the dark-haired girl quietly took her position. Miss Robinson was the last athlete to be announced, and from the roar of the crowd, it was clear that the stands were filled with spectators supporting the city’s native daughter. The third-year coed from Northwestern University arrived at the starting line, waving and calling greetings to her many fans. If the wattage of her smile was any indicator of her speed, her competitors must have been shaking in their track shoes. Once the starting gun went off, the girls rocketed down the straightaway, but by the last fifteen yards, it was clear that Miss Robinson would take first place, with about a yard separating her from Miss Walsh as they crossed over the finish line. The winning time was 11.2 seconds.
As the Wildcats fight song rang out across the track from the stands, Miss Robinson, sporting a Northwestern tracksuit, took a bow and accepted a diamond-studded track shoe pendant from her friends at the IWAC. When asked about her win, Betty gushed, “I couldn’t have done it without my friends at Northwestern and Coach Hill. He’s whipped me into the best shape of my life and I’m ready for the next Olympics.”
In her typical no-frills manner, Miss Walsh says she’s focusing on the future. “I will win gold in Los Angeles and, once again, I’ll be the fastest woman in the world.”
18.
February 1932
Evanston, Illinois
“YOU LOOKED GOOD OUT THERE ON FRIDAY NIGHT, Robinson,” Bill said, passing Betty in the hall of the gymnasium.
Even several days after her victory in the IWAC meet, Betty still brimmed with excitement, not to mention a measure of relief. Her success validated all of her hard work with Coach Hill. “Thanks for coming to cheer me on.”
“I wouldn’t have missed it. You planning on coming to see my basketball game this Saturday night?”
Betty tried to look serious and feigned nonchalance. “Hmm, not sure. I’m planning to wash my hair and do some laundry. I’m getting tired of being here all the time.”
“Wear a hat and save the hair-washing extravaganza for Sunday morning, though now that I think on it, you may be busy all day at church.”
“All day?”
“Yep, you’re going to be busy praying for mercy because you’ll be so impressed with my playing on Saturday night that you’ll be throwing yourself at me by the end of the game. Just you wait.”
Betty threw back her head and let out the loudest laugh of her life. When she steadied herself and looked back at Bill, he affected a wounded expression. “I’m sorry we can’t all be Olympians around here. Do you really have to go killing all of my dreams?”
“You’re too much. You win, I’ll come to your game. I owe you.” The truth was that Betty owed Bill more than merely coming to one of his games. As her showdown with Stella Walsh had approached, Betty found herself becoming increasingly nervous, and each time he saw her, Bill took the time to give her pep talks about how well she was running. He could be counted upon for a steady stream of support. No matter how many times she avoided him or brushed him off, he kept finding her.
“Great, I’ll see you there,” Bill said. “A bunch of us will be going to White Castle afterward. Maybe you’ll want to come and bring some of your friends?” He raised his hands in surrender. “I swear, it won’t be a date. There will be tons of people there. Don’t worry, Coach Hill will have nothing to hold against you.”
“We’ll see. Good luck, Bill. I hope you have a great game.”
He thanked her, and they went their own ways, but Betty found herself unable to stop smiling. Bill was such a card, but he also always appeared genuinely interested in her running, her classes, and her family. Though he attracted a swarm of admirers, both male and female, whenever they spoke, everyone else seemed to fall away. He possessed the ability to make her feel like the most fascinating woman on earth.
BETTY INVITED CAROLINE Hale and her longtime boyfriend, Howard, to join her for the game. The two women had remained in touch since the Olympics in Amsterdam, and Howard, always a good sport, frequently accompanied them on their adventures. He owned a rattletrap of a Model T and never balked at chauffeuring them around the city.
As they approached Patten Gymnasium, the noise of the crowd swelled. The Wildcats had been enjoying a winning season, and this was the final game of the regular season. A steady stream of fans wound along the sidewalks heading in the direction of the game.
Once inside the gymnasium, they wedged themselves into the crowded bleachers. Betty looked around at the rows
