Mary Wenninger - 1998 Inductee

Mary Wenninger is Fitchburg State's most decorated women's high jumper. While at Fitchburg State, Wenninger was named as an All-American three times, twice in the high jump and once in the pentathlon. She set three current school-records that still stand today, including the indoor high jump at 5'6", the outdoor high jump at 5'7" and the pentathlon with 2960 points. Her indoor team from 1983-1987 took second place at the ECAC Championships twice and won the title in 1984-85, as well as, recording one fourth and two fifth place finishes at the NCAA indoor meet. The outdoor team won the ECAC Championship two years in a row (1983-85) and took second place in 1985-86. One defining moment in Wenninger's career came during her sophomore season when she suffered a cracked hip and damaged her vertebrae during a jump shortly after capturing the New England high jump title. Thinking it was only a bruise, she continued on to win the high jump and place fourth in the pentathlon at the ECAC meet and earned All-American honors at the NCAA meet with a second place finish. Wenninger battled back after her injury to earn All-American honors and the MASCAC Female Scholar/Athlete of the Year Award in her senior season.