Jim won swimming letters in 1974, 1975, 1976 and 1977 and was captain in 1977. Jim won NCAA individual championships in 200 freestyle in 1974 and 100 and 200 freestyles in 1976. He swam on four NCAA championship relay teams for seven NCAA championships overall, winning six Big Ten championships in 50, 100, and 200 freestyles in 1976 and 1977 and also swam on eight relay championship teams. Jim won Pan American gold medal in 200 freestyle in 1977 and won two World Championship individual titles and five relay crowns. In 1976 Olympics he won the 100 meter freestyle and also swam on winning 400 medley and 800 freestyle relay teams for three gold medals in all. He earned title as "World's Fastest Swimmer" in 1976 and was the first person to break 50 seconds in 100 freestyle. Jim held American records in 100 and 200 freestyles for ten years.
