Like a dolphin flirting with the surface of the sea, propelling its body in

and out of the water, he swims. Aerodynamically skimming the surface with

grace and beauty, he pushes himself to astonishing speed, setting records

and breaking them. Though he does not frolic in the warm tides of the

ocean, his stroke is similar to that of the aquatic mammal and like the

dolphin, he belongs in the water. Surfacing only for air and thinking only

of swimming straight and fast, he cuts through the lanes, swimming into the

record books.

Displaying his aquatic excellence at the Southeastern Conference

Championships last week in Gainesville, Fla., Vol senior swimmer Jeremy

Linn has added another award to his already impressive collection.

Concluding his conference competition, Linn has captured his fourth

straight conference championship in the 100-meter breaststroke, joining

only two others to have ever accomplished such a feat.

Though his trophy case boasts Olympic gold and silver and his name fills

the record books, Linn has maintained his focus. While returning from the

Atlanta OIympics a champion, may make it difficult for an athlete to put

back on the Orange and White, Linn has approached every race with

determination and pride.

When thinking of a champion athlete, many picture intense individuals who

eat, sleep and breath their respective sport, leaving little time for

anything, or anyone else. For Linn, however, this is not the case. While he

stays focused on his journey to break records, he remains relaxed and

cool.

“Swimming needs to be taken seriously,” Linn said, “but you have to

remember it is a sport and it is supposed to be fun.”

This practical approach to athletics has kept Linn in the water for 18

years. He began swimming competitively when he followed his older brother

into the lanes at age 4. Though it has been difficult for Linn to stay

focused through the high times and the lows, he has maintained his goals,

and continues to emerge triumphant.

“When he arrived at Tennessee, we knew he was an exceptional athlete,” head

coach John Trembley said. “He has become a leader and someone the team can

rally around.”

At a school where football is like a religion and Peyton Manning a god, it

is difficult to identify with the depths of athletic greatness beyond

Neyland Stadium. But Linn does not strive for the external reward.

“When you pursue something to the degree that Jeremy does, you do it for

the internal reward,” Trembley said.

Linn is a born competitor and has found that swimming fills a void within

him.

“I began swimming knowing that it wasn’t a big money sport, or one that

receives recognition,” said Linn, who at age 22 holds three American

records and gold and silver Olympic medals. “There is a sort of

self-satisfaction for me that comes with swimming.”

Fortunately for Linn, he is never truly satisfied. As he leaves one goal in

his wake, he sets another. With the ultimate accomplishment waiting in the

waters of Sydney in 2000, Linn must stay focused. Giving himself plenty of

distractions, Linn stresses the importance of having fun both in and out of

the pool.

“You have to have things that make you happy, or you won’t enjoy swimming,”

said Linn, who looks to music to help relax him before races.

The cool attitude of this Olympic champion has propelled him to

unprecedented success. His leadership and aquatic excellence have also made

waves for the Tennessee tradition and will be missed as he finishes his

reign for the Orange and White.

“He has been instrumental in our success,” Trembley said. ” The legacy he

leaves behind will make us stronger in years to come.”

Linn is currently preparing to complete his collegiate career at the NCAA

Tournament at the end of March. As he continues to dominate the lanes, the

style and grace of this much-deserving champion promises to leave a wake at

the University of Tennessee, the nation and the world.

Though the grueling training and hours of preparation he endures are

anything but simple, Linn flows through the lanes with an illusion of ease.

As he merges with the waters, Linn’s dolphin-like style emerges again and

he attacks the competition with speed and grace. Gaining momemtum with

every perfectly executed stroke, Linn continues to build on his aquatic

excellence as he strives for gold.