Mike Bruner began his swimming career at age seven in Stockton, CA, and qualified for his first AAU National Championships at age 14. In 1974, Bruner graduated from Lincoln High School in Stockton and moved to Cupertino to train with the De Anza Swim Club (now known as DACA). During the winter seasons, Bruner swam for Stanford University, graduating in 1979.
He elected to take a year off from Stanford to train at the De Anza Swim Club for the 1976 Olympic Games and made the team to Montreal. Once there, Bruner captured the first Gold medal of the 1976 Olympic Games with a world record in the 200-meter butterfly. Later that week, Bruner helped the United States bring home another Gold medal in the 800-meter freestyle relay in world record time.
In 1980, Bruner was the high point winner at both the Indoor U.S. National Championships and the 1980 U.S. Olympic Team Trials. At the U.S. Trials, Bruner secured a position on the team in three events, but did not get the chance to compete at the Olympic Games due to the American boycott of the Soviet Games.
Mike Bruner was recognized for his accomplishments in swimming in 1982 with his induction to the Stanford Swimming Hall of Fame, and again in 1988, when he was inducted to the International Swimming Hall of Fame.
In 1980, Bruner currently works as a partner at MacFarlane Partners. He and his wife, Melanie, are active in the community and schools of Cupertino, where they live with their three sons.
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