For his first season competing with the Auburn team, Adam Brown, sophomore from Cambridge, England, has set his expectations high.
"He is very gifted athletically," said head coach Brett Hawke. "I think he is
6-foot-6 and he has a very good feel for the water. I think just in terms of his genetics he is set up very well to be a very fast swimmer and then he brings a great attitude to the pool as well."
Brown learned to swim attheageof3onafamily holiday in France.
Whenhewas9he joined his first club swim team and began to progress through the swim clubs.
After attending high school and training in Australia, Brown said it was the coaching staff that drew him to Auburn.
"Brett has coached some of the fastest sprinters in the world, Cesar (Cielo) and Freddy (Bousquet)," Brown said. "I just wanted to be a part of that and hopefully one day be just as fast as them."
Brown competed in the 2008 Olympic games in Beijing, swimming the 4 x 100 meter freestyle relay for Great Britain.
"Going into the Olympics games, I didn't know what to expect," Brown said. "It was my first senior international for my country and my favorite swimming memory was being in the final. It was amazing to see the world record get beat by all the A teams."
This season, Brown is focusing on improving in order to prepare for the SEC and NCAA Championships. "I've been working on a few things like trying to get more flexible and also something that will benefit from being more flexible is my start," Brown said.
Brown said he views SECs and NCAAs as a stepping-stone toward acquiring his future goals.
"My main focus is the Olympics in 2012 in London," Brown said. "Hopefully when London comes around I'll be ready to win some medals."
Brown's training experience in Auburn has been different from what he was used to back home.
"The experience of being around similar people of his age and abilities has helped him grow," Hawke said. "Where he came from, he was the center of his universe where as here he is just one of the guys and so I think in that sense he has changed a lot."
Brown said everyone on the team is like a family with the same goals: everyone just wants to win.
"He's just one of those guys that you are really glad he is on your side," said team captain Tyler McGill. "Since he can compete now, I can tell something has kind of switched on in his head. Now he is willing to emotionally buy into winning races. I think he is one of the most naturally athletic people out there, just explosive."
Hawke said Brown has a sprinter's mind-set, he likes to compete and challenge himself.
Hawke is looking forward to seeing him swim fast at the end of the year.
"I think his sense of how good he is sets him apart from other athletes," Hawke said. "He has a true sense that he has got some gifts and he's pretty special. I think when an athlete is aware of that it really sets him apart from other people. We will be looking for him for leadership in the pool rather than outside of the pool at the championship meet."
Brown's next meet will be this Saturday, Feb. 6 at Auburn against Emory.
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