Laird Susan

American competition swimmer, also known by her married name Susan Scavey, who represented the United States at the 1928 Summer Olympics. Laird was one of four girls, including Josephine McKim and Lenore Kight, who trained at the Carnegie Library Athletic Club under coach Jack Scarry, her uncle, to represent the United States as members of the Olympic swim team. She began swimming at age 14 on the advice of a physician after developing St. Vitus Dance. In 1928 she qualified for the American Olympic Team, and travelled aboard the S.S. President Roosevelt to Amsterdam, the Netherlands, for the 1928 Summer Olympics. Laird finished fifth in the womens 100m freestyle. She also helped the American relay team to qualify for the final of the womens 4×100m freestyle relay as they set a new world record in the semifinals. Laird did not receive a gold medal, even though the American team finished first in the event final, because she did not swim in the final. After graduating from Temple University in 1930, Laird was appointed girls coach and physical education instructor at Homestead High School, a position she held until her death from a rare blood disorder and subsequent pneumonia on 7 November 1933 at age 25. Link to Wikipedia biography Read less