Anne Vrana-O'Brien

Biographical information

RolesCompeted in Olympic Games
SexFemale
Full nameAnne Marie•Vrana-O'Brien
Used nameAnne•Vrana-O'Brien
Born22 August 1911 in Schenectady, New York (USA)
Died30 July 2007 in Tustin, California (USA)
Measurements168 cm / 52 kg
AffiliationsLAAC, Los Angeles (USA)
NOC United States

Biography

Anne Vrana-O’Brien began to run track at Fremont High School in California, where she was coached by Otto Anderson, a 1924 Olympian. She later ran hurdles for the Los Angeles Athletic Club, although she also trained with the Pasadena Athletic Club. She was the 1936 AAU Champion in the hurdles, which doubled as the US Olympic Trials. In 1932 she set a world record in the 80 metre hurdles with 11.8. Vrana was married in 1930 to a high school sweetheart who also ran track at Fremont. She competed at the 1932 Olympic Trials but did not make the team. Vrana-O’Brien returned to Southern California after the 1936 Olympics, where her husband worked in oil fields. He was able to buy a few wells and they did quite well. Anne Vrana-O’Brien raised her family, did some volunteer coaching, and spent some time counseling youths at the Orange County Juvenile Hall.

Personal Bests: 100 – unknown; 80H – 11.8 (1932).

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal As
1928 Summer Olympics Athletics USA Anne Vrana
100 metres, Women (Olympic) 3 h3 r1/3
4 × 100 metres Relay, Women (Olympic) United States DNS
1936 Summer Olympics Athletics USA Anne O'Brien
80 metres Hurdles, Women (Olympic) 4 h1 r2/3
4 × 100 metres Relay, Women (Olympic) United States DNS