Elta Cartwright

Elta Cartwright was America’s top female sprinter up to the 1928 Olympics. She won her first US championship in 1925, winning the 50 yards in 6.1 seconds. Nicknamed “Cinder-Elta” because of the cinder tracks she ran on, Cartwright added three more titles in the shortest event, as well as a title in the 100 yards, the 100 metres and the long jump. Her 100 m title was won in 12.6 seconds, tying the World Record. This victory also qualified her for the 1928 Olympics in Amsterdam, but she fell ill there and did not qualify in the semi-finals. On top of that, the team coach did not select her for the U.S. relay team that would lose the final to Canada. Cartwright quit sports upon return, and became a high school teacher. A student at Humboldt State Teachers College, she was later inducted into her college sports Hall of Fame.

Personal Best: 100 – 12.4 (1928).