By Mark Larsen 2003
Following one of the most storied seasons in Iowa high school swimming history, CFHS senior Sean Osborne will move on to the collegiate level.
Osborne ended a long recruiting process on Friday when he signed a national letter of intent to accept a scholarship offer from Auburn University in Alabama. Osborne chose Auburn over offers from Texas, Minnesota, Tennesee and Penn State.
Located in Alabama, Auburn is the defending NCAA National Swimming Champion and a member of the prestigious Southeastern Conference (SEC). They are coached by David Marsh.
After official visits to each school, Osborne said he felt Auburn simply seemed like the right fit.
“The whole recruiting process was very fun and interesting because I got to see what each university had to offer,” Osborne said. “But after coming home from Auburn and talking with my parents. I felt that Auburn was the right place for me.”
In addition to strong academics and nice campus, Osborne said he felt that the opportunity to compete for the nation’s best was too much to pass up.
“Auburn has one of the best, if not the best, training programs in the nation,” Osborne said. “Being able to train with some of the best swimmers in the country every day will help me reach my potential.”
Osborne travels to Auburn with an illustrious list of accomplishments. As a young freshman, Osborne was a second-place finisher at the Iowa high school state meet. After not competing with the high school team his sophomore year due to an abundance of national competition, Osborne was a double state runner-up his junior year before winning state titles in the 100-yard breaststroke and the 200-yard individual medley. In the process, Osborne set state records in both events.
“This while last year of high school swimming was an incredible experience,” Osborne said.
Although he possesses tremendous talent, Osborne success has not come without a price. Osborne began swimming competitively at the age of nine, and has been in the pool training twice a day nearly every day since.
In addition to hard work and the support of family and friends, Osborne attributes much of his success to CFHS head swim coach Dick Marcussen.
“Having one of the best high school coaches in the country has helped me reach this level,” Osborne said. “I can’t give Coach Marcussen enough credit.”
Osborne, who plans to major in computer engineering, has high goals for his freshman year.
“I hope to qualify for the NCAA National Meet and score points,” Osborne said.
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