Hall of Fame
Tom Pukstys (Palos Hills) competed in the javelin for the Chaparrals and later became the United States' top thrower for nearly a decade. A member of the 1992 and 1996 U.S. Olympic teams, Pukstys was a six-time U.S. champion and was ranked No. 1 in his sport seven times by U.S. Track and Field News. While at COD, he was the 1987 NJCAA national champion and national junior college record holder, and later became a two-time All-American at the University of Florida. He established the U.S. collegiate record in 1990 and remains the national junior college season record holder (248-5, 1988). He was inducted into the National Junior College Track and Field Hall of Fame in 1997.
