South Bend Adams High School, 1970 – 74
Dan Harrigan swam for South Bend Adams High School and won state titles in three different events. As a junior, he won both the 100-yard backstroke and 200-yard freestyle. As a senior, he again won the 200-yard freestyle, breaking the state record by over three seconds. He also won the 500-yard freestyle in 1974, the first year the event was offered at the championships, setting a NISCA national record in the event. Dan went on to swim at North Carolina State University where he won individual, relay and team Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) championships. He was named to the ACC 50th anniversary team. Dan competed at the 1976 Montreal Olympics winning a bronze medal in the 200-meter backstroke. He feels he was fortunate to have a many great coaches during his career. Instrumental in his success were his age group coaches Tony and Karen Kowals, Don Easterling at North Carolina State, and Dick Jochums at Arizona.