Jeffrey Scott Sawall

Justin Sommer

I can say I was truly surprised and saddened by the news of Jeff's death.  I first met Jeff when I outgrew Readfield and went to 5th and 6th grade at Parkview.  I soon became friends with Eric Witczak, Jeff Sawall, and several others that lived on Oshkosh Street.  From then on, Jeff's path and mine continually converged and diverged.  Sometimes we had classes together or sometimes we passed each other in the locker room between basketball and wrestling practices.  Then, in our senior year, he chose wrestling over basketball.  None was more surprised than myself as I had wrestled for several years and never expected a basketball player to join our midst.  I wrestled 138lbs and Jeff was heavyweight so we didn't necessarily practice that closely, but what does stand out are the dual meets and the tournaments.  If memory serves, Jeff may have gone undefeated for the year including three individual tournament championships as well as three team tournament championships.  Jeff always wrestled last in the lineup so with his victories that season, the ride home or the run into the locker room, was always on a high note.  I personally have great memories of that JV team and that entire season and of Jeff's effort and his newfound respect for the sport itself.  It was a fantastic way to end my years as a wrestler and I gained more respect for that basketball player turned wrestler - Jeff Sawall - than I ever thought possible.  He was a great anchor on that JV team.

 

Please see the attached pictures of 2 out of 3 tournament championships.  I have always kept these 2 pictures fairly accessible for a reason I didn't realize - until now.  There is not an official looking picture of the 3rd championship, but I'll keep looking.  There is also a candid photo somewhere of the team celebrating the announcement of our victory - and Jeff has his arms up in triumph.  Thanks for every single one of those memories Jeff!

 

Younger Than Today  (by Ben Harper)

You and I were looking at old pictures yesterday
Sitting in disbelief at how time slips away
Both at a loss for words to say, who knew we'd never be younger than today?

Foolishness protected us from the world outside
They could never come between us but we knew they'd try
We remembered living as if there were a way to forever be younger than today

Never looked at anything you didn't care to see
I was the one who wouldn't let you leave
Even though it was a clear you couldn't stay
Had to try to be younger than today
Had to try to be younger than today

As we parted, you reminded me I'm alive
To remember when the stars danced just for you and I
May the shimmer of the summer always light your way and make you feel younger than today

Kevin Kloehn

I too remember Jeff as a great friend especially on different sports teams over the years.  I remember we played Rhinelander for a double header and the first game we went into extra innings and Jeff came up as a pinch hitter and hit a 2 run single into right field for the win!  I remember because I was the winning pitcher that day!  I also remember all the All-Star teams we played on together during the summer.  I was very saddened to hear of his passing; may he rest in peace and my thoughts and prayers are with his family!

Mike Littmann

Way too young.  Hard to believe that another classmate has died.  I remember my baseball days and having to pitch to the big lefty.  Wow, with a smooth swing of the bat he smashed some of the best pitches I could throw.  I never did like pitching to lefties but Jeff made it fun because he just loved playing and had fun.  Rest in peace Jeff and prayers go out to your family.