Gary was the Big Ten champion in the 500 freestyle
 in 1967 (establishing a new NCAA freshman record)
and the 400 IM in 1968 and 1970.
Kinkead earned All-America honors 16 times
in the 200 backstroke and 500 freestyle,
 and the 400 medley and 800 freestyle relays.

Kinkead, ranked seventh in the world in the 400 IM in ¹69,
 competed  in the '68 Olympic Trials, placing 8th
in the 200 fly, 9th in the 400 IM and
16th in the 200 back.