WVU Sports Hall of Fame
- Induction:
- 2002
- Class:
- 1936
A native of Thomas, West Virginia, Barney Gedwillas was a four-year letterman for the Mountaineer track team from 1932-36.
Gedwillas was considered WVU’s best distance runner before World War II, and was one of the premier runners in the nation during the 1930s. As a senior, he participated against Norman Bright, Louis Zamperini (from the true story/movie, Unbroken) and Tom Deckard in the 5,000-meter race at the 1936 Randall's Island Olympic trials, New York, New York. Gedwillas ran with a blister and finished fourth, just one spot away from a berth in the Berlin Olympics. President Franklin Roosevelt was in attendance at the trials.
He also served as team captain as a senior while setting WVU school records in the mile (4:24.6) and two-mile (9:37.2) that stood for 32 years. He was inducted into the WVU Sports Hall of Fame in 2002. He died March 18, 2005 at the age of 91.
