Larry Pierce (figure skater)

For other people named Larry Pierce, see Larry Pierce (disambiguation).
Larry Pierce
Full nameDallas Larry Pierce
Born1937
Indianapolis, Indiana, United States
DiedFebruary 15, 1961 (age 24)
Berg-Kampenhout,
Flemish Brabant, Belgium
Figure skating career
CountryUnited States

Dallas "Larry" Pierce (1937 – February 15, 1961) was an American ice dancer. He was the 1961 U.S. national champion with Diane Sherbloom.

Life and career

Born to Dallas and Nellie Pierce, Larry Pierce had an elder sister, Jan, and younger brother, Russell.[1] He graduated from Broad Ripple High School and then attended Indiana University for two years. He then joined the United States Marine Corps Reserve.[2][3] He later worked at his family's plumbing business in Indianapolis, Indiana. He wore dark-rimmed glasses, even on the ice, and was known among friends for his sense of humor.

After graduating from high school, he was partnered with Marilyn Meeker, who also attended Broad Ripple High School, by coach Danny Ryan at the Winter Club of Indianapolis.[1][2] Junior bronze medalists at the 1958 U.S. Championships, they won the junior title at the 1959 U.S. Championships. Meeker/Pierce also trained in Cobourg, Ontario, and Lake Placid, New York, during summers.[1] Competing on the senior level, they won the silver medal at the 1960 U.S. Championships and placed fifth at the 1960 World Championships. Meeker broke her ankle in training in December 1960, six weeks before the 1961 U.S. Championships.[4]

Ryan asked Diane Sherbloom, who had not intended to compete that season, to skate with Pierce, and Pierce's parents succeeded in persuading Sherbloom's.[1][5] Sherbloom/Pierce won the gold medal at Nationals in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and were named in the U.S. team to the 1961 World Championships. En route to the event, their plane, Sabena Flight 548, crashed near Brussels, Belgium, killing all on board. Pierce was 24 at the time of his death.[5]

He is buried at Washington Park East Cemetery, Indianapolis, Indiana.

Results

(with Marilyn Meeker)

Event 1958 1959 1960
World Championships 5th
U.S. Championships 3rd J. 1st J. 2nd
J. = Junior level

(with Diane Sherbloom)

Event 1961
North American Championships 4th
U.S. Championships 1st

References

  1. ^ a b c d Bushman, Patricia Shelley. "Dallas "Larry" Pierce: 1961 U.S. ice dancing champion". U.S. Figure Skating. Archived from the original on July 9, 2014.
  2. ^ a b Gephart, Louise. "City Pair Has High Hopes in National Skating Contest", The Indianapolis News, Indianapolis, Indiana, volume 90, number 37, January 19, 1959, page 21. (subscription required)
  3. ^ Roche, Al. "Years Of Work Pay Off For City Skaters", The Indianapolis Star, Indianapolis, Indiana, volume 56, number 241, February 1, 1959, section 4, page 3. (subscription required)
  4. ^ Hersh, Philip (February 12, 2011). "Anniversary recalls disaster of 1961 plane crash that wiped out U.S. figure skating team". Chicago Tribune.
  5. ^ a b Duffy, Bob (December 29, 2000). "Remembering Flight 548: Shattered dreams". Boston Globe. Archived from the original on October 9, 2012.