Doris Brennan Weir
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Sport:
Swimming |
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Year
Graduated: 1942 |
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Year
Inducted: 1989 |
It would be impossible to list the highlights of Doris Brennan
Weir's athletic career without omitting some accomplishment,
title, or record. She was simply among the finest female swimmers
in the world.
Doris captured five national swimming championships, set
a world record for the 300-yard medley swim, and was a member
of the 1940 United States Olympic Team.
She was barely a teenager when she began dominating the New
England swimming picture, and national fame followed closely
behind. In the region, Doris captured every junior and senior
championship possible and shattered records in each event.
On a national level, success came just as easily. Doris swam
to five United States titles, taking top honorsin the 880-yard
freestyle, mile, 200-yard butterfly, 300 meter medley, and
300-yard medley. Her world record time of 4:32.2 in that final
even would stand for years after.
At the University's Sargent College, Doris would also be
a success. She was elected president of the Athletic Association
and received the Athletic Award as a senior, the highest honor
given by the ROTC regiment.
It would have been perfect it this brilliant young lady could
have completed her competitive career by performing in the
1940 Olympics, slated for Helsinki. She just missed a spot
with the 1936 team, but earned a position on her second chance.
World War II, however, prevented her dream from coming true...the
Games were cancelled.
This disappointment probably hastened her decision to stop
racing competitvely, but Doris continued to give back to the
sport she loved. She would work extensively with youth clubs,
starting with the Smith Hill Girls Club, and serving as an
assistant to the director. Years later, her efforts were instrumental
in the construction of swimming facilities in the city of
Warwick, RI.
