OATCCC Hall Of Fame
Sandra “Sandy” Phyllis Knott

Sandra “Sandy” Phyllis Knott was a 1957 Columbus North High School graduate. Sandra was a true pre-Title IX era pioneer in women’s running in Ohio and at the national level. During her high school career there was no high school competition available for women, so Sandra competed for the Cleveland Division of Recreation Track Club. She captured five AAU National Titles during her career, competing in the 400M and 800M events. Sandra captured two of her Outdoor National titles in the 440 Yard dash in 1962 & 1963. In 1963, she qualified and competed in the United States Outdoor Track & Field Championships finishing 1st in the 880 Yard run, and in the same year, she was selected to compete for the USA National Team in the USA-USSR Dual Meet, where she placed 3rd overall in the 800 Meter Run. In 1964, she captured an Indoor National title with a 1st place finish in the 880 Yard Run, then repeated with another Outdoor National Championship 1st place finish in the 800 Meter Run. Then, adding to her already successful 1964 season she earned a roster spot to compete for the USA Olympic Women’s Team in the XVIII Olympic Games held in Tokyo, Japan in 1964. Wearing the red, white, and blue of the United States, she placed 6th in her qualifying heat of the 800-meter run in a time of 2:12.2. Sandra then followed up in 1965 with yet another successful milestone when she competed in the USA National Cross Country Championships and added another 1st place finish to her monumental double national championship in the 880 YD / 800 M Run from 1963 and 1964. Sandra entered the profession of nursing beginning as a pediatric nurse, training at Children’s Hospital in Boston, working as a visiting nurse, and eventually becoming a nurse practitioner and diabetes educator, earning a B.S. from the Francis Bolton School of Nursing at Case Western Reserve, along with master’s Degrees from the University of Washington and Gonzaga University. She was also a woman of faith who was highly active in her church and spent a lifetime helping others. As much as she loved her career, her true passion was running. She promoted running and physical fitness throughout her life, personally competing in events until 2007. Her personal bests were 56.3 – 400 Meter Dash (1963), 2:09.7 – 800 Meter Run (1963), and 4:36.7 – 1500 Meter Run (1965). In 2008, Sandra was inducted into the Case Western Reserve Athletic Hall of Fame. Sandra Knott was a true trailblazer and role model for other American women in the sports of Track & Field and Cross Country during her lifetime. Her legacy is the inspirational, athletic, professional, and caring example she set for others during her lifetime. It is with immense pride and honor that the Ohio Association of Track & Cross Country Coaches welcomes Sandra Knott as a 2025 Hall of Fame Inductee. Congratulations to Sandra!