| One of the main forces behind the
1980 men’s swimming national championship squad was Mark Vagle, who had an
outstanding four-year career at Oakland University. Mark
was a 23-time All-American at Oakland, just one honor short of being a perfect 24-for-24.
He earned a maximum six awards in each of his three years. He was a two-time individual
national champion in the 200 yard freestyle, winning his titles in the team championship
year 1980 and in 1981. He was also a member of the 400 yard freestyle relay national title
squad in 1980 and the 400 and 800 yard freestyle relay champion units in 1981. The 800
yard freestyle relay squad set the national record that year.
The Pioneers finished in the top three nationally all four
years that Mark swam at Oakland. Along with the 1980 title team, Oakland University placed
second in the nation in 1979 and 1981 and finished third nationally in 1982.
Mark, a Student Life Scholarship recipient, earned a
Bachelor of Science degree in management from Oakland University. |
