John, in the 1962 Eastern Championships, earned a second place finish in the 200 yard breaststroke, even though he had not swum the event all year. That finish helped the Crimson beat Yale for the first time since 1938, only the second time Yale had been beaten in 220 consecutive dual meets. He was the winner of the 200 yard individual medly in the 1962 Eastern Championships and the 400 yard individual medley in the 1963 Eastern Championships. A two year All-American selection, Pringle set a Harvard record in the 400 yard individual medley, the 200 yard breaststroke, and the 200 yard backstroke.