Amelia Wershoven

Biographical information

RolesCompeted in Olympic Games
SexFemale
Full nameAmelia Albina•Wershoven (-Wood, -Bert)
Used nameAmelia•Wershoven
Born11 December 1930 in Ridgefield Park, New Jersey (USA)
Died7 June 2013 in Mattituck, New York (USA)
Measurements160 cm / 55 kg
AffiliationsQueens Mercurettes, New York (USA)
NOC United States

Biography

Amelia Wershoven was a javelin thrower, who won a gold medal in the 1951 Pan American Games and two bronze medals in the Pan American Games, in 1955 and 1959 (as Amelia Wood). In the 1951 Pan American Games she also finished fifth in the shot put. She also represented the US several times in international dual meets. Wershoven was AAU Champion in 1950 and 1953 with the javelin, and in 1955 in the baseball throw. It is with a baseball that she is probably best known, for setting a women’s world record of 252-4½ (76.92) in August 1957, a record that likely still stands as the event is not held anymore. Wershoven competed for the Queen’s Mercurettes, and was also runner-up eight times (1951-52, 1954-59) in the AAU javelin throw.

Personal Bests: JT – 154-11 (47.22) (1958); Baseball Throw – 252-4½ (76.92) (1957).

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal As
1956 Summer Olympics Athletics USA Amelia Wershoven
Javelin Throw, Women (Olympic) 14

Special Notes