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Paul Wolf

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Paul Wolf
Wolf in 1940
Personal information
Full namePaul G. Wolf
National team United States
Born(1915-10-05)October 5, 1915
Madison, Indiana, U.S.[1]
DiedAugust 14, 1972(1972-08-14) (aged 56)
Pasadena, California, U.S.
Sport
SportSwimming
StrokesFreestyle
ClubLos Angeles Athletic Club
College teamUniversity of Southern California
Medal record
Representing the United States
Olympic Games
Silver medal – second place 1936 Berlin 4×200 m freestyle

Paul G. Wolf (October 5, 1915 – October 14, 1972) was an American competition swimmer for the University of Southern California. He won a silver medal as a member of the second-place U.S. team in the 4×200-meter freestyle relay, together with teammates Ralph Flanagan, John Macionis and Jack Medica at the 1936 Olympics in Berlin.[1] Wolf graduated from USC in June, 1941.

Wolf began swimming in coastal swimming competitions around 1928.[2]

As a collegiate swimmer at USC, Wolf served as team captain and was co-national champion in the 100-yard freestyle at the 1939 NCAA championships. His time of 52.9 at the 1939 NCAA Championships tied with Charles Barker, who swam for the winning college team, the University of Michigan.[3] At the National AAU Championships in Ann Arbor Michigan in March, 1939, Wolf placed second in the 50-yard freestyle and would hold the world record time in the event of 25.4.[4][5][2]

After graduating from USC in June 1941, he worked as a lifeguard at Hermosa Beach and then enlisted in the U.S. Navy in Los Angeles as a Chief Boatswain's Mate and became part of their physical education program, under the direction of Lieutenant Commander James J. (Gene) Tunney. He reported to the Naval training station in Norfolk, Virginia.[6][2]

In later life, Wolf taught at the Los Angeles Athletic Club and was owner and operator of Pasadena California's Paul Wolf Olympic Swim Club in the 1960's at least through 1967. [7][8]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b Paul Wolf. Sports-Reference.com
  2. ^ a b c "Swim Champ Joins United States Navy", The Lanark Gazette, Lanark, Illinois, 4 December 1941, pg. 1
  3. ^ "Michigan is Swim Titlist for Sixth Time", The Morning Call, Allentown, Pennsylvania, 26 March 1939, pg. 3
  4. ^ "Michigan Swimmers Forge to Front", The Des Moines Register, Des Moines, Iowa, 25 March 1939, pg. 8
  5. ^ "Saturday's Late Sports", Detroit Free Press, Detroit, Michigan, 27 March 1939, pg. 17
  6. ^ File:Paul Wolf 1941.jpg
  7. ^ "Olympedia bio Paul Wolf". olympedia.com.
  8. ^ "Paul Wolf Registers Summer Swim Classes", South Pasadena Review, June 28, 1967, pg. 3