Jeanne Omelenchuk

Jeanne Omelenchuk won her first national title in cycling, as Jeanne Robinson, before adding speed skating titles later in the 50s. By the time women’s speed skating was on the Winter Olympic program in 1960, she was somewhat past her prime, but she still made three Olympic teams, the last in 1972 as a 40-year-old. Omelenchuk graduated from Wayne State University and became an art teacher. But in 1985, she entered politics and won a seat on the Warren City Council. She served in that post for a decade, and also served four years as mayor pro tem. She would eventually be inducted into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame, Michigan Amateur Sports Hall of Fame, National Speedskating Hall of Fame, Wayne State University Hall of Fame, and Michigan Women’s Hall of Fame.

Personal Bests: 500 – 45.6 (1969); 1000 – 1:32.9 (1972); 1500 – 2:26.9 (1969); 3000 – 5:14.9 (1968).