USC Olympic Medalist and NCAA Champion Swimmer Lance Larson Sr. Dies

Lance Larson Sr., a 1960 Olympic gold medalist and NCAA Champion at USC, died on Friday (Jan. 19) of complications from pneumonia. He was 83.

While at USC, Larson was a six-time All-American, earning honors in the 100-yard fly, 100-yard free, 200-yard fly and 200-yard IM. As a senior in 1962, he won two NCAA titles, one individual and one relay. Larson also helped lead the Trojans to a California Invitational Championship in 1960 with two Pacific Coast titles in the 200-yard fly and 200-yard IM, along with another Pacific Coast title in 1961 in the 100-yard fly. Larson also won three Amateur Athletic Union titles during his tenure at USC, one individually and two for relays.

At the 1960 Rome Olympics as a member of Team USA, he won gold as a part of the 400-meter free relay and earned silver in the 100-meter freestyle. The latter event is remembered for its controversial finish, which played a pivotal role in the evolution of swimming competitions, leading to the adoption of electronic touchpads for more precise timing. That same year, he became the first man to break one minute in the 100-meter butterfly.

Larson came to USC from El Monte (Calif.) High School after becoming the first high school swimmer to break 50 seconds in the 100-yard freestyle. He was inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame as an "Honor Swimmer" in 1980.

After a successful swimming career, Larson served with the United States Navy's Dental Corps. He operated his own dental practice in Orange County from 1979 until his retirement in 2014.

Larson, formerly married to Betty Lee Puttler (1940-2007), is survived by his wife, Sherrie, sons Lance Jr. (Margaret), Greg (Rachelle), Gary (Alissa) and Randy (Kathryn), daughters Jairica Larson Fosburg (Matt) and Danica Larson Juliano (Joe), step-daughters Erica Leon, Jessica Sherwood (Kevin) and Monica Jara (Javier) and many grandchildren.

A Celebration of Life will be held March 1 at 11:00 a.m. at the Garden Grove Lodge of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks in Garden Grove, Calif. In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Lance M. Larson may be made to the Trojan Victory Fund supporting the USC men's and women's swimming and diving program at https://usctrojans.com/sports/trojan-athletic-fund or mailed to 3501 Watt Way, Heritage Hall 203B, Los Angeles, CA 90089.

University Southern California Trojans

USC Olympic Medalist and NCAA Champion Swimmer Lance Larson Sr. Dies

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