Mariechen Wehselau

Mariechen M. Wehselau, born on May 15, 1906, was a remarkable American swimmer who made her mark in the world of competitive swimming. Known for her exceptional talent, she represented the United States at the 1924 Summer Olympics held in Paris, where she achieved extraordinary success.

At the Olympics, Wehselau was a vital member of the U.S. team that clinched the gold medal in the 4×100-meter freestyle relay. Alongside her teammates Euphrasia Donnelly, Gertrude Ederle, and Ethel Lackie, she helped set a new world record with a time of four minutes and fifty-eight point eight seconds. Individually, she showcased her prowess by securing a silver medal in the 100-meter freestyle, finishing just behind her fellow American swimmer Ethel Lackie with a time of one minute and twelve point eight seconds.

Following her Olympic triumph, Wehselau was invited by the Australian Swimming Association to participate in local championships and exhibitions, further enhancing her swimming career. She later returned to Hawaii, where she dedicated herself to training aspiring swimmers alongside her former coach, Dad Center, from nineteen twenty-eight to nineteen thirty-seven.

In recognition of her contributions to the sport, Wehselau was inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame in nineteen eighty-nine as an