A native of Asthabula, Ohio, Mike Sawicki came to Otterbein after an excellent career at Lakewood High School and helped lead the Cardinals to two Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) team championships in cross country, and another three team titles in track and field. 

Individually, Mike was a six-time OAC track and field champion and also won two individual titles in cross country.  Earning all-conference and all-region every year in cross country, Mike ran his way to a pair of All-American honors in both cross country and track to finish as a four-time All-American. 

A very versatile runner, Sawicki was the national runner-up in the 5,000-meter run during indoor track season of his junior year after finishing third in cross country just a few months prior. He sits second on Otterbein’s all-time list in the 5K and 10K, plus sixth on the steeplechase list.  His times in the 5K (14:28.93) and 10K (30:12.7) are second only to Otterbein Hall of Famer Tom Schnurr. 

A great leader and fearless competitor, Mike also ran the 1,600-meter anchor leg on Otterbein’s record-setting distance medley relay team. He would go at whatever pace was necessary to try and win a race and certainly goes down as one of the best runners in school history.