Leroy Samse

Among the hundreds of outstanding Howard County athletes over the past century-plus, Leroy Samse stands in a class of his own as our only Olympic Games participant and medalist.

A 1902 Kokomo High School graduate, Samse was known for his gymnastics, as well as his track and field talents. It was at Indiana University where his skills were honed. He once held IU’s high jump record, but especially excelled in the pole vault. He earned an invitation to the 1904 Olympic Games in St. Louis, where, jumping with a bamboo pole, he won the silver medal with an effort of 11 feet, 9 inches.

On June 2, 1906, Samse competed in the Western Athletic (now Big Ten Conference) Championships at Northwestern University. There, he tied the world record of Frenchman Fernand Gonder (12-3 1/4), before later in the competition breaking the world record with a leap of 12-4 7/8. Samse became IU’s first conference champion that day after having been the school’s first Olympian two years earlier.

Samse’s accomplishments are even more impressive considering he competed with sight in only one eye after a childhood accident.