Kokomo athlete a Heisman finalist: Tylor Gauger in running for national high school honor

Nov 12, 2008 (Kokomo Tribune - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- WEN | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating -- When Tylor Gauger's counselor suggested he fill out an application for Wendy's High School Heisman Award, the Kokomo High School senior decided to go for it.

"When Mrs. [Sarah] Spencer encouraged me to fill it out, I thought, 'We'll just see how it goes,'" he recalled.

Tuesday, the youngest of Gary and Lisa Gauger's triplets found out how it went.

Named the school's male honoree earlier this fall, Tylor was selected as Indiana's nominee Friday.

During a convocation Tuesday morning, Wendy's of Kokomo executive vice president Candy Hodge presented him with a silver medal given to state winners. Thinking his part was done, Tylor headed back to his seat.

Hodge quickly stopped him, however, and announced Tylor was one of 12 national finalists.

"I never expected to be a national finalist," Tylor admitted. "I knew the opposition was strong but I didn't know how my profile would strike the judges."

Presented since 1994, a male and female senior will be named national winners Dec. 14 in New York as part of the college Heisman Memorial Trophy ceremonies in New York.

Wendy's High School Heisman recognizes high school seniors for their achievements in and out of the classroom. Criteria include at least a B grade-point average and participation in high school sports. Students are judged on their academic and athletic achievements and community service.

While a number of area student-athletes have been named as state finalists, Tylor joins 2002 KHS graduate Stefani Vande Lune as a state winner.

"Athletics may be the standout part of my resume, but as far as community service, I like to give back to those who have helped me over the years," he said. "Since Mom works at the YMCA, I've helped out with their programs. I've worked in the youth athletic programs, teaching about sports and life in general."

Athletic director Mike Wade said Tylor "is what being a student-athlete is all about."

"He's one of the state's top swimmers and he's in the top five of his class. As an athletic director, Tylor is just what you want your students to stand for: He represents the classroom first and is an outstanding athlete second," Wade said.

Academically, he owns a weighted GPA of 12.360 and is ranked fourth in a class of 402.

Planning to study biology as part of a pre-med program, he's narrowed his college choices to Ohio State, Purdue and Notre Dame before going on to medical school.

"I not only want to work in a hospital, but I would like to be involved with an organization like Doctors Without Borders," he explained.

He noted his older brother and sister, Mitch and Brittany, have helped him over the years.

"I was the surprise baby. My parents thought they were going to be having twins," he said before grinning and adding, "until I arrived."

"Mitch and Brittany have been there to give me support. That's made me more likely to give support to others since I received it first-hand."

A competitive swimmer since he was 8 years old, Gauger has been the Katfish MVP each year of high school. In February, he finished seventh in the 200-yard individual medley and eighth in the 500 freestyle at the IHSAA state meet. Swimming for Carmel Swim Club, he qualified for the Junior Nationals in the 400 IM and 200 butterfly in August.

Counselor Russena Comer credit's Tylor's success as a "combination of his work ethic, humbleness and unassuming nature."

"He's one of the most detail-oriented kids I've ever met," she said. "He wants to do things right and to the best of his ability academically, athletically, in anything. The staff knows that when Tylor does something, he's going to put everything he has into it.

"He never calls attention to himself. He lets his actions speak for him."

He and his parents will go to New York Dec. 12-14 for the festivities involved with the Heisman Trophy. ESPN2, which were scheduled to arrive in Kokomo late Tuesday, is filming footage of Tylor's activities for part of the ceremony that will be broadcast Dec. 14.

"I've never been to New York. I've seen it in movies and on TV, and it looks amazing. I'm excited to be experiencing it first-hand and seeing how it matches up to what I've seen," he said.

As a national finalist, he will receive a gold medal, a $100 Wendy's gift card and $2,000 will be presented to KHS in his name.

Along with the $50 gift card he receives as the state winner, that gives him $150 to spend on Wendy's food.

"Since the school has an open lunch, I might have to buy stuff for a couple of my friends," he said laughing. "I'll be eating Wendy's quite a bit. It's a good thing I like their food already."

Whether he wins the national award or not, he's looking forward to the trip to New York.

"I think the whole experience will be fun. If I'm the national winner," he said, "then that's an added bonus but the experience will be amazing."

John Dempsey may be contacted at (765) 854-6739 or by e-mail at john.dempsey@kokomotribune.com

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