Over 250 All-America certificates have been earned by College of Wooster swimmers and divers. John Wilson earned the program's first and added seven more during his decorated Fighting Scots' career. 

Wooster's program was rapidly on the rise when Wilson arrived on campus for the 1974-75 academic year. The welcoming atmosphere during Wilson's college search drew him in to Wooster. The program broke 19 school records during his first-year season, per College archives, including five by Wilson. Arguably Wooster's greatest backstroker, Wilson went 56.9 seconds in the 100 backstroke and 2:01.80 in the 200 backstroke at the inaugural NCAA Div. III Championships. Wilson won the consolation final of the 200 backstroke and placed 10th in the 100-yard event. 

An infusion of talented first-years elevated Wooster's team even further during Wilson's sophomore year, as Wooster earned relay All-America honors for the first time in the 800 freestyle relay (7:24.44). Wilson earned All-America honors for the fourth time with the 10th-place time of 2:04.30 in the 200 backstroke. He swam in five events at nationals, competing in the 100 backstroke (51.16), 400 freestyle relay (3:22.17), and 400 medley relay (3:50.56). Wilson lowered his school records in the backstrokes to 56.27 and 2:01.20 in the 100- and 200-yard events, respectively, and set three relay school records at the Ohio Athletic Conference Championships. 

The All-America count climbed to six Wilson's junior year. He led off the ninth-place 800 freestyle relay (7:13.8) and rounded out the scorers in the consolation final of the 200 backstroke, placing 12th nationally with a time of 2:01.6. As a senior, Wilson helped Wooster to a 13th-place finish at the Div. III Championships, the third-highest in program history. Individually, he earned All-America honors one more time in the 200 backstroke, racing to the 12th-place time of 2:02.20. On the 400 medley relay, he led off the Scots' ninth-place quartet that finished at 3:39.63. 

After graduating from Wooster with a history degree, Wilson earned a Mandarin certificate of merit from The Taipei Language Institute and a master's degree in international affairs from Columbia University. He retired as lead economist of the World Bank Group and is the founder of the John Sullivan Wilson Family Fund of the Cleveland Foundation. Wilson served on the College's Board of Trustees and Alumni Board and has served as a student mentor and admissions event host. 

Wilson resides in Chicago.