Swimmer Adam Brown has represented England in the 2010 Commonwealth Games, the 2009 World Championships and the 2008 Olympics, but his latest challenge will be competing for Southeastern Conference supremacy.
The men's swimming team travels to Gainesville, Fla., for the SEC Championship Feb. 16.
This competition is nothing new to the three-time SEC champion and three-time All-American.
Brown, a native of Cambridge, England, has been swimming in competitions since he was a boy.
"I started swimming competitively around 10 for local clubs back in England," Brown said, "and I just kept progressing.
"Now I am in America, in Auburn, one of the best programs in the world."
Though far from his home, Auburn's past success in swimming attracted Brown to the school, and he said he is proud to call himself a Tiger.
"Auburn has a great tradition in sprint freestyle swimming and sprint swimming in general," Brown said. "Training under coach Hawke here is a big honor for me.
"I love training here, I love everything he has done for me and everything that he is going to continue to do."
Brown said having the opportunity to represent his home country in a number of international competitions was an honor.
"It's amazing," Brown said. "It's hard to describe being there.
"The atmosphere is so good--and to wear your country's colors--it's just unbelievable."
Brown said his time competing in higher-level competitions has helped him improve immensely.
"On the international level, I'm not the best," Brown said. "So I'm always trying to get better and be faster and catch the people who are faster than me."
According to his teammates, this experience and calm nature have helped him emerge as a leader on the team.
"He leads by example with swimming," said Robert Looney, senior swimmer. "It's like there is no pressure to him.
"He might feed off of it, he might like the pressure, but he's really relaxed and focused."
With the SEC Championship quickly approaching, Brown, who competes in the 50- and 100-meter freestyle, said he is prepared for the competition.
"I'm ready," Brown said. "I'm not as ready as I will be for the NCAAs, but I will be going down there, swimming as fast as I can, and hopefully we'll bring back an SEC Championship for the men."
Brown's teammates' confidence in him is obvious.
"He goes into every meet and does what he needs to do," said Kohlton Norys, senior swimmer. "Basically, everyone looks up to him to winning two events at every meet so far, and it's not a problem."
While he is all business in the water, those closest to him see a different side of the swimmer when he's on dry land.
"He's a jokester," Looney said. "He's just really relaxed.
"When it comes down to the swimming part, he gets real serious, but outside of the pool he is the most relaxed person."
But this jokester has some big plans for the future.
A senior in psychology, Brown plans to pursue a career in swimming.
"I want to be a professional swimmer for a while," Brown said, "and hopefully make the London Olympics and maybe train for the next Olympics in Brazil.
"Then, after that, maybe become a swim coach. I'd love to stay in America, around Auburn."
Aside from all the recognition and fame that comes with competing at such high levels, Brown said he's just a regular guy, one who enjoys walking his dog, sleeping in and playing PlayStation in his free time.
It is, however, his love of the sport that keeps him motivated.
"I just love swimming," Brown said. "I always have."
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