Pamela Jean Kruse (born June 3, 1950) is an American former competition swimmer, Olympic medalist, and former world record-holder in two events.

Pam Kruse
Personal information
Full namePamela Jean Kruse
Nickname"Pam"
National teamUnited States
Born (1950-06-03) June 3, 1950 (age 74)
Miami, Florida
Height5 ft 5 in (1.65 m)
Weight130 lb (59 kg)
Sport
SportSwimming
StrokesFreestyle
ClubFort Lauderdale Swim Association
College teamMichigan State University
Medal record
Women's swimming
Representing the United States
Olympic Games
Silver medal – second place 1968 Mexico City 800 m freestyle
Pan American Games
Gold medal – first place 1967 Winnipeg 200 m freestyle
Gold medal – first place 1967 Winnipeg 4×100 m freestyle
Silver medal – second place 1967 Winnipeg 400 m freestyle

Kruse attended and swam for Pine Crest High School in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, a highly competitive program, where she was trained by Hall of Fame Coach Jack Nelson. Her Pine Crest team mate Marilyn Corson, a 1968 Olympic bronze medalist from Canada, would later swim with her at Michigan State.[1]

Kruse represented the United States as an 18-year-old at the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City, where she competed in two freestyle events.[2] She received a silver medal for her second-place performance in the women's 800-meter freestyle (9:35.7), finishing behind American teammate Debbie Meyer (9:24.0).[3] She also swam in the women's 400-meter freestyle and placed fourth in the event final, and recorded a time of 4:37.2.[4]

After the Olympics, Kruse attended Michigan State University with fellow Olympians Linda Gustavson, and 1968 Canadian Olympic bronze medalist Marilyn Corson. Gustavson and Kruse were member of Kappa Alpha Theta sorority together.[5] Kruse swam for the Michigan State Spartans swimming and diving team in Big Ten Conference competition, where she won conference championships in the 100- and 200-yard freestyle, and the 400-yard freestyle relay in 1971.[6] She graduated from Michigan State with her bachelor's degree in 1973, master's in 1975, and Ph.D. in 1979.[7]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Pettijohn, Phil, "Broward's Female Olympians", Fort Lauderdale News, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, 1 January 1970, pg. 65
  2. ^ Sports-Reference.com, Olympic Sports, Athletes, Pam Kruse. Retrieved September 9, 2015.
  3. ^ Sports-Reference.com, Olympic Sports, Swimming at the 1968 Ciudad de México Summer Games, Women's 800 metres Freestyle Final. Retrieved September 9, 2015.
  4. ^ Sports-Reference.com, Olympic Sports, Swimming at the 1968 Ciudad de México Summer Games, Women's 400 metres Freestyle Final. Retrieved September 9, 2015.
  5. ^ Kappa Alpha Theta, Notable Thetas. Retrieved September 9, 2015.
  6. ^ Michigan State Spartans, Swimming & Diving, Women's Swimming Big Ten Champions. Retrieved September 9, 2015.
  7. ^ Robert Bao, "Spartan Olympians: Pam Kruse," MSU Alumni (Summer 2008). Retrieved September 9, 2015.
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Records
Preceded by Women's 400-meter freestyle
world record-holder (long course)

June 30, 1967 – July 27, 1967
Succeeded by
Preceded by Women's 200-meter freestyle
world record-holder (long course)

August 19, 1967 – July 6, 1968
Succeeded by