Thomas L. “Tom” Sawyer

Thomas (Tom) L. Sawyer, Wakarusa High School, 1957

Tom led the county in basketball scoring his senior year with 484 points (22.0 ave.) capping a fine career in which he helped Wakarusa win many games. He set single game Wakarusa gymnasium scoring record  with 44 points. First team “All-Sectional” and “All-County Tourney.” Nominated for Indiana All-Star team, 1957. As a baseball pitcher, he pitched first no-hitter in Waky history and in track Tom was an outstanding pole vaulter, winning Elkhart Sectional and setting Wakarusa High School record. Tom later starred at Montana State University, basketball (led team in scoring and free throw percentage), baseball and track (set Montana State pole vault record). After college, in 1964, while serving in the 32nd Artillery Brigade of the U.S. Army, Tom placed first in a hand grenade throwing contest for distance and accuracy, pacing the winning American team in beating teams from France, Germany and six other NATO nations.