University of Arizona Athletics

Doug Towne
 

    In the storied history of the Arizona Swimming and Diving program, the school has produced an amazing 101 individual NCAA Championships. The first of those 101 came in 1981, when Doug Towne swam the 500-yard freestyle in 4:16.54 to win the Wildcats’ first individual national title. Towne’s time of 4:16.54 remains, nearly 40 years later, as the 10th-fastest 500-yard freestyle in school history. The national title was one of 12 All-America honors for Doug in his Wildcat career; he was the national runner-up in the 1650-yard freestyle in 1981 as well. Since Doug paved the way atop the podium for the Wildcats, 67 more UA swimmers and divers have won 100 national championships in the 37 years since.