Member of 1964 U.S. Olympic Women’s Track Team and a member of the 1963 and 1964 AAU All-American Women’s Track and Field teams. Represented U.S. in international competition against Great Britain, West Germany, Poland and Russia. Set American records in the 800 meters and 880-yard run during one-week period in 1963. Set AAU Championships record in 800-meters in 1964.
Coached and sponsored the Cleveland Striders Track Club dating back to the early 30s. Early involvement with the Knights of Columbus Track Meet Association (1940) led him through ever higher positions of leadership culminating in 1965 when he became Director of the meet. He was one of the founders of the Catholic Youth Organization. Made a member of the U.S. Olympic Committee for Track and Field in 1964, he has continued to serve youth through leadership roles in the Lake Erie Association of the AAU.
A hurdler in the 1948 Olympic Games, she subsequently moved to Cleveland and more recently has distinguished herself as a competitor in the Master Program. In the Masters Pan American Games in Canada she won and set records in the Shot Put, Discus and Javelin. In 1983 she placed 2nd in the Shot Put and Discus and 4th in the Javelin in the World Masters Games and then again as recently as 1985, in the 55 to 60 years age group, placed 4th, 4th, 6th respectively in those same events.
A graduate of East Technical High School, he went on to NAIA All-American honors (1955-56) and (1956-57) in college in the high hurdles and long jump. He qualified for the U.S. Olympic Trials in 1956 as a hurdler. A consistent competitor, his participation always showed the excellence which marked his distinguished career.
Moved to Lakewood from Canada with his family at the age of 13 to carve a niche at Lakewood High School well up on the long list of first magnitude track stars who first shone on Greater Cleveland ovals, Gave notice of what lay ahead by winning the OHSSA state title in the 440-yd. dash as a sophomore in 1956 and defending his title as a junior, also finishing second in the 100 and 220-yd dashed that year. Then, as a senior in 1958, he turned in one of the most memorable performances in Ohio state meet annuals, winding up an undefeated scholastic career in the 440 by running the fastest schoolboy time (46.5 sec.) ever recorded in he U.S. and capturing the 100 and 220 titles to pace Lakewood to the state crown. As a collegian at Purdue, he set an American indoor record of 47.2 sec. in the 440 in 1960, won two Big Ten indoor 440 crowns and one outdoor championship, and ran for the United States’ 4 x American games. Became a teacher in the Dayton area after his track days and remained there in his retirement.
Organizer, first president (1941-42) and director (1942-55) of the Greater Cleveland Knights of Columbus Track Meet, he played a major role in making the meet one of the top indoor track and field meets in the country. Served as president of the Northeastern Ohio AAU in 1945-46, was a member of the National AAU Board of Governors and a member of the U.S. Olympic delegation in 1948 and 1952.
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.