In the first Wisconsin High School state track meet in 1895, Kraenzlein (Milwaukee East) won five events (100, High Hurdles, Low Hurdles, Broad Jump, and Shot Put).
Considered the father of the modern hurdling technique, Alvin Kraenzlein was the star of the 1900 Olympic Games, winning four gold medals in the individual events, the only trackman to ever accomplish that feat.
He won seven national AAU titles in four events just prior to 1900 but in the 1900 Paris Olympics he won the 60-meter dash, long jump, 110-meter hurdles and the 200-meter hurdles. He also held world records in four events and won several IC4A titles while attending the University of Pennsylvania. He also attended the University of Wisconsin but earned his dental degree from Penn. He never practiced dentistry but became a track coach at the University of Michigan, also coaching the German and Cuban national teams. He was elected to the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame in 1985.
He was born December 12, 1876, Milwaukee, Wis. Died January 6, 1928.
Wisconsin High School Track Athlete Bios