University of Missouri Athletics

One of the true pioneers for men’s swimming at the University of Missouri, John Putnam (a native of Carthage, Missouri) arrived at Mizzou as a prep all-American in 1964, the first year the school fielded a swim team. He helped set the standard as the team’s high-point scorer, most valuable performer and team captain for all four years. He became the first Mizzou swimmer to score a point at the Big 8 Conference Swim Championships, and later ended his career in 1968 with three individual and eight total Big 8 medals, as well as being the holder of MU records in nine different events, including five individual and four relays. When he completed his swimming career at Mizzou, Putnam held school records in the 100-yard freestyle (49.3 seconds), 200-yard freestyle (1:49.7), 500-yard freestyle (5:06.6), 1,000-yard freestyle (10:51.5), 1,650-yard freestyle (18:42.0), 400-yard medley relay (3:45.3), 200-yard freestyle relay (1:30.7), 400-yard freestyle relay (3:17.9) and 800-yard freestyle relay (7:30.2).