Tenley Albright

In 1952, when she was 16, Albright won her first U.S. women's singles championship. Albright would repeat as U.S. singles champion every year through 1956. This victory led to Albright qualifying to represent the United States at the Winter Olympics in Oslo, Norway. Though she was not expected to win a medal, she ended up winning a silver medal in women's singles figure skating. Jeanette Altwegg from England won the gold medal. This was the first time an American woman had won a medal in figure skating since Beatrix Loughran in 1924. An injury prevented Albright from going to the World Championship that year.

Albright did even better in 1953, when she became the first triple crown winner. In addition to the U.S. title in women's singles figure skating, she also won the North American Championship and the World Championship. This was also the first time an American had won the World Championship. Despite her success, Albright had a reserved personality and her coaches often had to remind her to smile.