Logan “Reid” Patterson from Pineville, KY was the first the University of Georgia’s first national champion and Olympian in swimming. Patterson was an eight-time SEC champion and six-time SEC record holder. He swam for the University of Georgia from 1951 to 1954. In 1953, Patterson won the NCAA national title in the 100y freestyle, setting an American Record. When Patterson represented the United States in the 1956 Olympic Games in Melbourne, Australia, he became the first swimmer from the South to represent the USA. During the Olympics, he finished fourth in the 100m freestyle final after setting the Olympic Record during prelims. In the 1950s, Patterson was dubbed “America’s Fastest Man In The Water”. Patterson has been inducted into the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame (1984) and the Circle of Honor at the University of Georgia (1997).

After his swimming career, Patterson worked as a geologist, then as a financial advisor for more than 30 years. Reid Patterson passed away in 2014.

Career Highlights

• 1956 USA Olympic Team
• 8x SEC Champion
• 6x SEC Record-holder
• American Record holder in the 400m freestyle and 400m medley relay
• World Record holder in the 50m freestyle and 200m freestyle relay