Famous 400-Meter Relay Team from the 1924 Olympics in Paris. From left, Mariechen Westlau, Ethel Lackie, Euphrasia (Fraze) Donnelly Bungard, Gertrude Ederle.

Editor’s note: This is the third in a series about local historical figures. The following is information from a 1956 article about Olympian Euphrasia “Fraze,” Donnelley Bungard, a former resident of Warsaw. The article is from the files of the Kosciusko County Historical Society. 

WARSAW — Euphrasia (Fraze) Donnelly Bungard, a resident of Little Chapman Lake, northeast of the city, was a former U.S. Olympic swim star.

1924 Olympics Swim Star, Euphrasia Donnelly Bungard of Little Chapman Lake, pictured at her home with some of the many trophies she won during her career.

In 1924, Fraze, who later worked as a nurse at the Murphy Medical Center, represented the United States in Paris, France. She had a famous teammate, Gertrude Ederle. Also swimming with the women’s 400 meter relay team were Ethel Lackie and Mariechen Westlau. They broke the world record and set a new Olympics record by 13 seconds. 

One of the proudest moments of her life, Fraze recalls, was when upon winning the event, Old Glory was raised and the National Anthem was played. 

Fraze started swimming as a young girl when her family joined a swim club in her hometown, Indianapolis. She entered her first meet for the Hoosier Athletic club when she was 10 years old. Her ability as a swimmer was noted by William S. Merriam, of Indianapolis. He became her coach. Under his tutelage, Fraze became the Indiana and Kentucky free-style and diving champion.

In 1920, Olympic competition was opened to female contestants. Fraze then had a goal to reach. In Detroit, she won the four-mile event. In 1924, she went to New York City where she successfully competed in the Olympic finals, winning a place on the women’s 400-meter relay team.

Fraze described her summer in Europe as “a dream come true.” Among her Olympic traveling companions were Johnny Weismuller, filmdom’s famous Tarzan; Duke Kahanamoku, star Hawaiian swimmer; and Jack Kelly, father of Grace Kelly, former movie star and Princess of Monaco.

All of Fraze’s expenses were paid by the United States. She was issued traveling and parade uniforms and many items of swimwear.

Thrilling and unforgettable to Fraze was the parade of champions and the taking of the Olympics oath. There were others. She shook hands with the Prince of Wales; met Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks; and after the Olympics, her team gave a command performance for the King and Queen of Belgium in Brussels. 

In England, the women’s 400 meter relay team also won when it competed against swimmers of the British Empire. Fraze, whose father was of Irish descent, was the U. S. representative chosen to swim in the 100 meter event meet in Ireland, which she won.

Upon returning to the U.S., Fraze turned professional in 1925. She taught swimming for six years at St. Mary’s of the Woods school in Terre Haute. Entering a nine-mile professional women’s swim meet in Toledo, Ohio, she won first place and $250.

Following this event, there was a long period in which she filled many swimming jobs. In 1934, she married Bruce Ray Bungard of Terre Haute. Upon his retirement, they came to Little Chapman Lake to live. There you could find her trophies, medals, the coveted Olympics plaque and a bulging scrapbook. Those who could get her to talk about her triumphs found her to be modest and were treated to an interesting visit as she reminisced about her many exciting experiences. 

Fraze kept fit in her later years by bowling regularly at local bowling alleys.

To those young people who aspire to become members of the U. S. Olympics team, Fraze said, “It’s hard work and sacrifice, but it’s worth it. When you achieve the goal, it’s a dream come true.” 

— Compiled by InkFreeNews reporter Lasca Randels