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 Mary Terwilliger
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Position:
Women's Track & Field |
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Experience:
1931-33, 1934-36 |
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Year Inducted:
1996 |
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Contemporary of Olympians Babe Didrikson, Tidye Pickett, and Stella Walsh. World-class sprinter who brought Northern Illinois international recognition even though program did not sponsor women's sports at time. Joined Bill Terwilliger?the 1942 AAU national decathlon champion who was inducted in 1983?as first brother-sister duo in NIU Athletics Hall of Fame. Began career in novice race with barrowed sweat suit and made meteoric rise in a few months to U. S. Olympic Trials (1932). Nosed out twice in 100-meter dash finals for U. S. berths in Los Angeles (1932) and Berlin (1936) Olympic Games. Performed on national AAU 440-yard relay champ for three straight years (1934-36). Ran outdoor 440 relay leg with Evelyn Hall, Ethel Harrington, and Annette Rogers on American record-setting team (:44.9) at Olympic Trials at Dyche Stadium in Evanston (1932). Set Canadian indoor 440 relay record (:51.8) in Toronto (1935). Toured North America under banner of Illinois Women's Athletic Club, Chicago Lincoln Park team, and Illinois Catholic Women's Club in major meets in New York, Chicago, Montreal, and Toronto (1932-36). Placed third in post-Olympic Games 100-meter dash at Soldier Field in Chicago finishing behind Walsh and Harrington (1932). Began career as "unattached" entry in meet at Chicago Naval Reserve Armory and went :07.6 in 60-yard dash (January 31, 1932). Won Banker's meet in Chicago with :07.4 (March 18, 1932). Broke indoor 60-yard mark (:07.3) (March 30, 1932). Ran in Olympic Trials (July 8-9, 1932) (Deceased).
