The standard for excellence isn’t built overnight, it’s forged over generations.

If you know college swimming, you know Auburn is legendary.

It's the program that produced world-record holders, Olympic gold medalists, and icons like Cesar Cielo, Frédérick Bousquet, IOC President Kirsty Coventry, Brett Hawke, and Rowdy Gaines, shaped by mastermind coaches like David Marsh and Dave Durden.

When you step onto the deck at Auburn University, that weight of history and elite performance is immediate.

As a 21-time All-American and 3-time NCAA Champion as an Auburn swimmer, Head Coach Ryan Wochomurka understands that standard better than anyone.

Now leading the program, he carries forward a legacy built on championship culture, uncompromising work ethic, and elite execution.

In our latest episode of BEHIND THE BLOCKS, we take an inside look at what it truly takes to sustain an elite collegiate environment.

Auburn was one of those schools that I dreamed about going to when I was younger, so getting the opportunity to come back years later as a coach and see the program from a completely different perspective was pretty special.

Coach Ryan Wochomurka opened the doors for me to stop by practice this summer, and with the main pool going through some renovations, the team was taking advantage of the beautiful outdoor facility and some great weather.

I got to watch practice, talk with Coach Ryan, and get a full tour of the Auburn swimming environment and everything the athletes have access to. From the training spaces to the support around the team, it was honestly one of the best environments for college swimmers that I’ve ever seen.

We also talked about what makes Auburn swimming so special: the tradition, the championship history, the expectations, and the responsibility that comes with wearing the Auburn cap.

And for me personally, there was another layer to this visit. Auburn has always had a special connection with Brazilian swimming, and seeing that history continue today made the visit even more meaningful. Auburn currently has Brazilian swimmers on its roster, and Arilson Silva, a Brazilian coach with extensive international and collegiate experience, joined the staff as an associate head coach in 2025.

This one was a really cool reminder that sometimes you get to come back to places you once dreamed about, just in a completely different role!

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