Gestring, Marjorie
Diving
b. Nov. 18, 1922, Los Angeles, CA
At only 13 years and 9 months old, Gestring became the youngest individual gold medalist in Olympic history when she won the springboard diving championship in 1936. She may well have been deprived of another medal or two by World War II, which forced the cancellation of the 1940 and 1944 Olympics.
Gestring won the national outdoor 3-meter springboard championship in 1937, 1938, and 1940; the indoor 3-meter from 1936 through 1938; and the outdoor platform in 1939 and 1940. She made a comeback to compete in the 1948 Olympic trials, but finished fourth and failed to qualify for the team.