Ron Neugent
Born: Wichita, Kan.

Graduated: Wichita East H.S., 1978 (Wichita Swim Club)/SMU/University of Kansas, 1983

Ron Neugent was so focused on making the Olympic team in 1980 that he wasn’t even deterred by
the news that the United States would not compete at the Games in Moscow.
“It was disappointing, but I still had the goal of making the Olympic team,” Neugent said. “Whether
we were sending a team or not, that was my goal. I had put my life on hold for a year, so I was set
on making that Olympic team.”

After harrowingly failing to qualify in his first three events, Neugent achieved his goal by placing
third in the 1500-meter freestyle with a time of 15:27.66 on the final day of the 1980 U.S. Olympic
Trials.

“The disappointment was back in the spring when it was announced we wouldn’t send a team,”
Neugent said. “That initial disappointment was already gone. When I finished the 1500-meter
freestyle and saw the No. 3 by my name, I was just shocked. It was my last chance to make the
team, and I did it. I could not have been more thrilled.”

Neugent was born May 12, 1960. He attended Wichita East High School and competed for the
Wichita Swimming Club, where he was nationally ranked among youth swimmers.

After graduating from Wichita East in 1978, he attended Southern Methodist University and
received All-America honors by finishing 11th in the 1650-meter freestyle at the NCAA
Championships. In 1979, he gained national recognition by winning the 1500m freestyle at the
World University Games. But that gold medal almost did not happen. Concerned he would be
missing too much school, Neugent entertained turning down the opportunity. It was a wise
decision not to do so.

In 1981, Neugent represented the U.S. National Team in a dual swim meet at Moscow.
He transferred to the University of Kansas and excelled in his two years with the Jayhawks. He set
six school records and two Big Eight records. He also won two Big Eight individual titles. Neugent’s
mark in the 1650m freestyle still ranks among the top in KU and Big Eight history.

On Sept. 5, 1982, he set an American record for the 1500m freestyle in a 25-meter pool with
a time of 15:01.77.

Neugent later competed in U.S. Masters Swimming, earning four first-place medals and 15 top 10
finishes.

In 2007, Neugent officially received a Congressional Gold Medal for his role on the 1980 United States Olympic Team.