1924
Silver Medal, 100-Meter Freestyle
Gold Medal, 4 x 100-Meter Relay
1924 Olympic Games
Paris, France
Mariechen Wehselau joined the Outrigger in 1919 and was discovered and coached by George “Dad” Center. She won her first medal in 1921 for swimming the 50-yard freestyle in 28.8 seconds. In 1922 she set an American record in the 100-meter freestyle in a 25-yard tank with a time of 1:03. She paved her journey to the 1924 Olympics with a win in her event in the Olympic trials.
Mariechen set the swimming world on fire by setting a world and Olympic record of 1:12.2 in her first heat in the 100-meter freestyle in the Olympics. She won her semifinal heat in 1:15.2 and came back to win the Silver medal with a time of 1:12.8.
She also anchored the U.S. women to a world and Olympic record in the 4 x 100-meter freestyle relay in 4:58.8. She was the first woman in Hawaii to win an Olympic Gold medal.
Mariechen was given an Honorary/Life membership in the OCC in 1924. She was an active member of the Club and the first woman elected to the Outrigger Canoe Club Board of Directors.
Mariechen was elected to the International Swimming Hall of Fame in 1989, the Hawaii Sports Hall of Fame in 1998, and the Hawaii Swimming Hall of Fame in 2002.
World Records*
50 Yards Freestyle, :28.8, bath, Honolulu 5/26/1923
50 Yards Freestyle, :28.6, straightaway, open salt water, Honolulu, 5/26/1923
100 Yards Freestyle, 1:03.0, straightaway, open salt water, Honolulu, 5/26/1923
100 Meters Freestyle, 1:12.2, Paris, 7/19/1924
*World records provided by ISHOF 2019