Kent Finanger was a multiple letter winner in football, basketball and track. A tremendous all-around athlete, he possessed strong leadership skills as well. Kent was a member of the state runner up basketball team his junior year and during his senior year he led the Wauwatosa High team to a 3rd place finish at the 1950 State Tournament. Serving as one of the teams’ co-captains, his all around play garnered him multiple post season awards. He won the Wauwatosa High School award presented to the player with the best free throw shooting percentage. He was honored as a 1st team selection on the Suburban Conference All-Conference team. His performance at the state tournament resulted in 1st team All State honors. A multiple year member of the varsity football squad, Finanger was selected as a co-captain his senior year. His impact wasn’t just as a leader of the team. His play earned him All-Conference honors for the 1949 season. Speed came easily to Kent and it showed on the track where he ran the 180 Yd Low Hurdles as well as competed on multiple relay teams. Finanger won the coveted Wauwatosa High School Athlete of the Year award for the 1949-50 school year. He attended Luther College where he played three sports and attained Little All-American football honors after leading the nation in scoring in 1953. Following graduation, Finanger coached many years at Luther College, including a national championship cross-country team. He was selected to the Luther College Athletic Hall of Fame.
