The Girls of Central High on Track and Field

In Short

This book captures the spirit of early 20th-century juvenile fiction, blending the wholesome camaraderie of a girls’ athletic club with a dash of high-stakes melodrama. Set at Central High, the story follows a group of junior students as they prepare for a competitive track and field meet while simultaneously unravelling the mystery of Margit, a young girl caught in the orbit of a mercenary Gypsy clan. It remains a classic of its era, embodying the period’s fascination with "athletic" girls and the moral clarity of school-story narratives.

The Story

The narrative opens in the crisp, bright days of spring, where a group of inseparable friends from Central High—including the energetic Bobby Hargrew, the thoughtful Laura Belding, and the sturdy farm girl Eve Sitz—are enjoying the outdoors. Their peaceful walk is interrupted by a series of encounters with a band of Romany travelers. These Gypsies, led by the shrewd and avaricious Grace Varey, become a looming presence in the girls' lives. Central to this mystery is a girl named Margit Salgo, who has fled the Varey camp to seek refuge, believing that the Gypsies are holding the key to her true identity and a hidden fortune.

As the school year progresses, the girls of Central High throw themselves into rigorous training for the upcoming inter-school field day. Their athleticism is encouraged by their instructor, Mrs. Case, though the training is not without internal conflict. A faction of senior students, led by the resentful and mean-spirited Lou Potter, grows jealous of the juniors' success and their influence over the school’s athletic program. This rivalry takes a dark turn when the seniors, seeking to secure a victory for their own clique, align themselves with the vengeful Varey Gypsies.

The tension peaks on the day of the championship meet. Eve Sitz, the school’s star shot-putter, fails to arrive, leaving her friends in a panic. It is revealed that the Vareys, bribed by Lou Potter, have abducted Eve to ensure she cannot compete. While the school struggles to make sense of her sudden disappearance, Margit Salgo intervenes. Having realized that the Gypsies intend to use their knowledge of her background to exploit both her and others, she works to expose the plot. With the help of the quick-thinking Chet Belding, the students uncover the location of the abduction. Eve is rescued just in time, allowing her to rejoin the competition. The Central High team, galvanized by the crisis and their commitment to one another, rallies to sweep the field events. The book concludes with the resolution of the girls' athletic goals and the clearing of the air at Central High, as the students look forward to a future of continued success and friendship, having learned to reject the manipulative, superstitious influences that once threatened their harmony.

How It Unfolds

The voyage begins Seven friends from Central High encounter a band of Romany travelers while walking near the local uplands. This chance meeting introduces a sense of unease, especially as they discover a mysterious young girl fleeing from the same group.

The mystery deepens The girls encounter Margit Salgo, who is desperately searching for information about her heritage. Her arrival at the school, under the reluctant protection of a teacher, signals that the Gypsies are deeply entangled in the school's social and personal affairs.

Training and tension As the girls push themselves on the track and in the gym, the plot splits between their athletic progress and the simmering resentment of the senior class. The reader sees the girls balance their studies, home chores, and the growing pressure of the approaching Field Day.

The kidnapping The conflict reaches its climax when the jealous Lou Potter conspires with the Varey Gypsies to pull Eve Sitz out of the competition. The girls are left in a state of crisis, forcing them to rely on their own wits and the unexpected loyalty of the mysterious Margit to set things right.

The final victory The story closes with the resolution of the mystery and the triumphant performance of the Central High team. Peace is restored as the girls reflect on their growth, ultimately discarding the superstitions and petty feuds that once threatened their unity.

The People

The story is anchored by Bobby Hargrew, a spirited, "perpetual motion" girl whose impulsive energy drives much of the action, though she learns to temper her reactions as the mystery unfolds. Laura Belding, known as "Mother Wit," acts as the group’s moral compass, consistently choosing diplomacy and calm logic over the heated emotions of her peers. Eve Sitz represents the strength of the group; a hardworking farm girl, she is the backbone of the team’s athletic ambitions and remains resilient despite becoming the target of the plot. Margit Salgo is the story’s catalyst, a "half-wild" figure whose quest for her own history forces the students and teachers alike to confront the truth behind the Vareys' schemes. Finally, Lou Potter serves as the antagonist; her deep-seated jealousy and willingness to compromise her school’s honor for personal satisfaction provide the necessary pressure to define the virtues of the protagonist group.

In Its Own Voice

"I don't believe anything ever tires you, Bobs," said the girl who sat next to Jess—a vigorous, good looking maid with a very direct gaze, who was attractively gowned in a brown walking dress.

The narrator introduces the energetic Bobby Hargrew through the eyes of her friends during a spring walk.

"She's queen of the tribe," whispered Eve to Laura. "And her husband, Jim Varey, is leader of this clan. He is a horse trader, and sells oilcloth and tinware, while the women sell baskets, and the like, and pick up a quarter now and then telling fortunes."

Eve explains the background of the Gypsies to the other girls as they enter the encampment, highlighting the social divide of the period.

"I will not harm you. If you cross our palms with silver we may be able to tell you something pleasant."

The Gypsy queen uses a familiar, wheedling script to try to extract money from the girls.

What It's Really About

At its heart, this book is a celebration of female agency and the camaraderie found in shared goals. It tackles the tension between internal group loyalty and the wider, sometimes dangerous, world beyond the school walls. The narrative argues that true strength is found not just in physical prowess on the track, but in the moral integrity required to reject gossip, superstition, and petty sabotage. The book asks the reader to consider what it means to be a "good" student and a loyal friend, suggesting that self-reliance and the ability to look past one’s immediate fears are the essential qualities for navigating the transition into adulthood.

Why Read It Today

Readers who enjoy the vintage charm of early 20th-century school stories will find this book quite rewarding. It offers a fascinating, if occasionally dated, window into the period’s attitudes toward education, rural-versus-urban life, and the emerging role of women in athletics. The pacing is brisk, and the dialogue—peppered with the light-hearted slang and doggerel poetry of the era—captures a very specific, energetic youth culture that feels both distant and oddly relatable.

However, a modern reader should be prepared for the book's period-specific tropes. The portrayals of the Romany people are rooted in the stereotypes of 1914, relying on conventional villainy and "mysterious" tropes rather than nuanced historical representation. Additionally, the writing style can feel quite melodramatic, with every minor classroom inconvenience treated as a major crisis of character. If you can approach it as a piece of its time—a "period piece" in the truest sense—you will appreciate it as a sincere, warm-hearted depiction of girlhood, competition, and the enduring power of friendship. It leaves the reader with a sense of wholesome satisfaction, capturing the feeling of a world where, with enough hard work and a bit of "Mother Wit," even the most tangled mysteries can be solved.