Bernard Wefers
Encyclopedia
Bernard Joseph Wefers, Sr. (February 19, 1873 – April 18, 1957) was an American
athlete.
He was born in Lawrence, Massachusetts
and attended Boston College
before transferring to study medicine at Georgetown University
. During the 1890s he won numerous sprint records and was dubbed the "World's Fastest human". In 1896 he set a world record in the 220 yards (200 metres
) dash with a time of 21.2 seconds. This record stood until 1921, although it was tied by five other athletes. After retiring, Wefers coached track and field at NYAC
for 45 years.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
athlete.
He was born in Lawrence, Massachusetts
Lawrence, Massachusetts
Lawrence is a city in Essex County, Massachusetts, United States on the Merrimack River. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the city had a total population of 76,377. Surrounding communities include Methuen to the north, Andover to the southwest, and North Andover to the southeast. It and Salem are...
and attended Boston College
Boston College
Boston College is a private Jesuit research university located in the village of Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, USA. The main campus is bisected by the border between the cities of Boston and Newton. It has 9,200 full-time undergraduates and 4,000 graduate students. Its name reflects its early...
before transferring to study medicine at Georgetown University
Georgetown University
Georgetown University is a private, Jesuit, research university whose main campus is in the Georgetown neighborhood of Washington, D.C. Founded in 1789, it is the oldest Catholic university in the United States...
. During the 1890s he won numerous sprint records and was dubbed the "World's Fastest human". In 1896 he set a world record in the 220 yards (200 metres
200 metres straight
The 200 metres straight is a track and field outdoor event of 200 metres on a straight track.In the 1960s, the straight 200 metres was a separate world record event for men until IAAF deleted this variation from its list of official records....
) dash with a time of 21.2 seconds. This record stood until 1921, although it was tied by five other athletes. After retiring, Wefers coached track and field at NYAC
The New York Athletic Club
The New York Athletic Club is a private social club and athletic club in Midtown Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA. It was founded in 1868 and currently has approximately 8,600 members.-History:...
for 45 years.