Jack Mehl and Jim Surowiec

Jim Surowiec started swimming during elementary school but then drifted away from the sport and it wasn’t until he was a junior in high school that he began competing again. While attending Oakland University, Jim became a nine-time All-American swimmer and four-time NCAA relay champion. He was OU’s team captain in 1989-90.

Jim, with teammates Richie Orr, Eric Dresbach and Hilton Woods, won a NCAA National Championship in the 400-yard medley relay in 1989, and the 1990 200-yard medley team of Surowiec, Orr, Jon Teal and Eric McIlquham also won a NCAA Championship.

Jim also swam the second fastest 100-yard breaststroke in OU’s history. His breaststroke split of 24:73 on the 200-yard medley relay in 1990 was the fastest in OU history. During his career, he placed twice in the 100-yard breaststroke nationals.

While attending OU, Jim worked for The Oakland Post as a cartoonist and writer. He graduated with a grade point average of 3.49 and a bachelor of arts degree in journalism. He won a post-graduate NCAA scholarship and earned his law degree at the University of Detroit.