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Brenda
Helser was part of
an outstanding group
of young swimmers
who represented the
Multnomah Athletic
Club, and won a gold
medal at the 1948
London Summer
Olympic Games as
part of the 4x100
meter relay team.
Born in 1926, Helser
competed at Stanford
University where she
graduated in 1946.
She then trained
under coach Jack
Cody, who helped her
reach the 1948
Olympics in three
events. Helser
battled Ann Curtis
throughout 1948 for
the national record
in the 100-meter
freestyle, but at
the Olympics Curtis
won silver, while
Helser did not
place. Helser, who
had moved to Los
Angeles, finished
fifth in the 400
freestyle, which
Curtis won.
Under
Cody's guidance,
Helser helped the
MAC swimmers, who
included fellow
Olympians Suzanne
Zimmerman and Nancy
Merki, win 42
individual, 16 relay
and three team
national titles from
1939 to 1948.
Helser was inducted
to the Oregon Sports
Hall of Fame in
1981. She is also a
member of the
Stanford University
Hall of Fame.
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