Mike Giardine twice earned NJCAA All-America honors during his track and field career at JCCC.  In the 1997 indoor season, Giardine won a national championship in the weight throw, and set a national meet record in the process.  He is one of only seven JCCC track and field athletes to have won a national title indoors.  Giardine also captured the East Jayhawk Conference and Region VI indoor titles in the weight throw in 1997.  During the outdoor campaign in 1997, Giardine garnered NJCAA All-American in the hammer throw, placing fourth overall.  He also was outdoor region champion in the hammer, and was a four-time conference champion in his career, winning the hammer and discus as a freshman and sophomore.  His effort helped JCCC win back-to-back outdoor conference titles, and win the inaugural conference indoor championship in 1997. Giardine also involved in the student senate at JCCC.  Giardine continued his career at Emporia State University, where he earned NCAA D-II All-America accolades in the weight throws the Indoor Championship his junior year.  He was also a two-time MIAA outdoor champion, winning the discus and hammer his senior year.  He also placed runner-up in the javelin and shot put, giving him 28 points in the meet.  His effort led Emporia State to the MIAA Outdoor title.  Giardine set the Emporia State indoor record in the weight throw, and the outdoor mark in the hammer.  He also was a member of the MIAA Commissioner’s Academic Honor Roll.