Pan-American Games gold medalist in the high jump in both the 1963 and 1967 games, setting Pan-Am record in 1963. Won several national high jump championships from 1963 through 1969. Holder of American indoor high jump record. Won her first national championship at the age of 14 in the long jump. Competed in high jump in both the 1964 and 1968 Olympics.
United States champion in shot put and discus 19 times from 1933 to 1952 and given All-American ranking by the AAU 13 times. Bronze medalist in the discus in the first Pan-American Games, held in Argentina in 1951. Competed in 1948 Olympic Games in both shot put and discus.
Ranked as one of the world’s finest all-around women athletes during a competitive career that spanned more than 30 years. Participated in the 1932 and 1936 Olympic Games, won five U.S. Pentathlon championships from 1950 through 1954. Won a record 41 national AAU championships and held over 65 world and national American, Canadian, Polish, Japanese, and European records.
Qualified for the 1948 United States Olympic Team in three events: the 80-meter hurdles, long jump and 400-meter relay team. Set world indoor record in the 50-yard hurdles in a race held at Cleveland Armory in 1947, clocking 7.2 seconds. Began her career at age 14, running for the Polish Olympic Club of Cleveland.
Earned two gold medals in the 1963 Pan-American Games, winning the 200-meter dash and running on the victorious 400-meter relay team. Won her first U.S. championship gold medal in 1960 as the leadoff runner on a 440-yard relay team representing the City of Cleveland. Competed in the 1964 Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan, running in the 200-meter dash.
First American woman to win 800-meter race in Olympic competition, winning the gold at Mexico City in 1968. Also competed in 1972 and 1976 Olympics. Won Pan-American Games gold medal plus U.S. Indoor and Outdoor national titles at 800 meters in 1967. First national title was earned in 440-yard dash in 1965 when she set an American record, one of many she was to hold.
Silver medalist in the high jump at the 1936 Olympic Games, he set a world record in the event at the National AAU Championships that same year, clearing 6′ 9-3/4″. Was Big Ten and NCAA high jump champion at Ohio State University after winning state high school championship at Cleveland East Tech. Also excelled in basketball and football at East Tech and was two-time Golden Gloves champion.
A world record-holder in the 200-meter and 220-yard dashes, he was U.S. 200-meter champion in 1961, ’62 and ’63. Won silver medal in 200-meter dash and gold in 400-meter relay at 1964 Olympic Games. Was high school All-American at Cleveland Cathedral Latin, winning state championships in 100 and 200-yard dashes in 1958, then twice earned All-American honors at Villanova University.
First American to win an Olympic medal in the javelin, earning the bronze in the 1924 Games. Broke NCAA and AAU records in his specialty while an undergraduate at the University of Notre Dame. Also was a star tackle for the Fighting Irish, playing on the line in front of the famed “Four Horseman” backfield. Later became Director of Athletics at John Carroll University, spending almost 50 years in the teaching profession.
First man in Olympic history to win gold medals in the 100-meter dash (1948) and 110-meter hurdles (1952). Also won gold medals in the 400-meter relay in both Olympics. A state hurdles champion at Cleveland East Tech High, he later set world records in the 120-yard highs and 220-yard lows at Baldwin Wallace College. Won 17 national collegiate and AAU championships, once held 11 world, Olympic and American records simultaneously. Voted Sullivan Award in 1955 as nation’s Outstanding Amateur Athlete.