Inductees

One of Missouri’s earliest premier swimmers, Ellen Gale Hopkins Green shattered
virtually every swimming record known during her heyday in the 1930’s.  From
1934 to 1939 won a total of 62 individual titles: her best year, 1937, saw her
capture 20 individual medals and a National Junior AAU Championship.  Most
impressive was her 1937 time of 1:06 in the 100 meter freestyle.  The gold
medalist in the previous year’s Olympic swam it in 1:05.09.  Almost certain to
be a pick for the U.S. Olympic team, Ellen Gale’s hopes were dashed as the 1940
and 1944 Olympics were cancelled due to World War II.  Such was her swimming
prowess that in 1937, Ellen Gale was named one of Springfield’s Men of the Year.