In 1970, while still a high school senior swimming for the Hinsdale McDonald's Swim Club under coach Don Watson, he was awarded the Amateur Athletic Union's James E. Sullivan Award in recognition of the outstanding American amateur athlete of the year. In 1970 he also became the first person to swim 1,500 meters under 16 minutes.
In 1970, while a high school senior swimming for the Hinsdale McDonald's Swim Club with coach Don Watson, he received the Amateur Athletic Union's James E. Sullivan Award for outstanding American amateur athlete of the year. He also achieved the first swim under 16 minutes in the 1,500-meter distance that year.