Barney Gedwillas Biography

Thomas High School / (class of 1932) Thomas, WV

Specialty: Distance

West Virginia University (1932-1936)

Barney Gedwillas (born July 10, 1913) was a native of Thomas, a former coal town in Tucker County, West Virginia. He was a distance standout at Thomas High School during the 1931 and 1932 track seasons, winning four state track titles during his high school running career.

Gedwillas was a former track star and four-year letterman for the West Virginia Mountaineer track team from 1932-36.

High School:

During Gedwillas’ high school track career, the West Virginia State Meet was one class, boys only. This format remained intact until 1962 when the boys were divided into two classes.

In the 1931 West Virginia State Track Meet, Gedwillas was a double winner in the distance events, winning the half-mile (2:07.5) and the Mile Run (4:40.6). Gedwillas would score 10 points for Thomas for a tenth-place finish in the team standings.

In the 1932 West Virginia State Track Meet, Gedwillas repeated in the distance events, winning the 880-yard run (2:07.9) and the Mile Run (4:42.5). Once again, Gedwillas would score 10 points for Thomas, which tied Elkins for tenth place out of twenty-one teams in the team standings.

During the 1930’s, Gedwillas’ time in the 880-yard run ranked him 7th for all high school boys, while his time in the Mile Run ranked him 3rd and 6th.

College (1932-36):

After high school, Gedwillas attended West Virginia University and studied electrical engineering, where he competed on the men’s Track & Field team.

He was considered WVU’s best distance runner before World War II and was one of the premier runners in the nation during the 1930’s. As a senior, he participated against Norman Bright, Louis Zamperini (from the true story/movie, Unbroken) and Tom Deckard in the 5000-meter race at the 1936 Randall's Island Olympic trials, New York, NY. Gedwillas ran with a blister, he 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 West Virginia University school records in the mile (4:24.6) and two-mile (9:37.2) that stood for 32 years.

Personal:

He was an electrical engineer, where he worked on such projects as the electronic systems on the Flying Wing. He also, in early life, traveled to Alaska where he worked in the gold mines and other business ventures with his brother-in-law and other friends.

On October 5th, 2002, he was inducted into the WVU Sports Hall of Fame with Willie Akers (basketball), Eddie Beach (basketball), James Jett (track and field/football) and Rosemary Kosiorek.

Barney Gedwillas was 91 years old when he passed away. He won his last race on Friday, March 18, 2005.

He was the last member of his immediate family. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Ann Fleming Gedwillas; and brother, Frank.

Submitted by Mike McMillion (updated 08/16/21)