Louise Ritter, Texas Woman’s University: Collegiate Athlete Hall of Fame, Class of 2024

Louise Ritter’s collegiate career in high jump was marked by a series of consistent top finishes and championship victories, establishing her as one of the premier athletes in the event. Her reign at the AIAW Outdoor Track & Field Championships, where she won three consecutive titles from 1977-79 and set new meet records each time, demonstrated her competitive excellence and ability to perform at the highest level. Ritter’s collegiate performances, characterized by her never finishing below second in any high jump competition, set the stage for her subsequent success on the national and international stages.

Ritter’s achievements, including setting two collegiate records and an American record of 1.93m (6-4) at the 1979 Pan-American Games, highlight her dominance in the event at the time. Her post-collegiate success culminated in a gold medal at the 1988 Seoul Olympics, where she set an American record of 2.03m (6-8).