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Oct. 9, 2009

AUBURN, Ala. - With two weeks until the first meet and practices in full force, juniors Caitlin Geary and Jared White took time to answer questions for this week's edition of 'On The Block', a weekly Q&A with members of the Auburn swimming and diving team.

Geary, from Orlando, Fla., is an eight-time All-American and a three-time SEC champion for the Tigers. She had the opportunity to compete at the 2009 World Championships in Rome this past summer, representing the United States in the 400m free relay.

White, of Matthews, N.C., is a three-time All-American and a member of the 2009 NCAA champion 200 medley relay. He finished sixth at the national meet in the 100 back and took eighth in the 200 back.

Caitlin Geary
You had the opportunity to represent the U.S. at the 2009 World Championships. What was it like to be a part of that meet and represent your country?
Representing the USA was amazing. Being at a meet like that was nothing that I had ever experienced before so it was a huge step up to a whole new level of swimming for me. I was a bit overwhelmed to say at the least, but it gave me the confidence that I need for the future. I realized now that there is no reason why I can't compete with world class swimmers. We had such a star-studded team and there were always people around us. Representing Auburn was pretty special and probably my favorite part of the experience.

Outside of swimming, what are some things that you got to see while in Rome?
One of the last days, Mark Gangloff, Adam Klein, and I went around to some of the sights with some of the other USA athletes. We called it "the three hour tour" because we saw most of the major tourist sites in only three hours. It was exhausting, but so much fun.

What have you see so far from this team during practices and what can people look forward to seeing throughout the season?
We've had some pretty hard workouts, but the coaches have made the environment so positive that it's easy to enjoy working hard. I think the team has definitely come together well in our dry-land and circuit workouts. The captains and other seniors have been leading us really well, so as a combined team, we are strong and know how to get through the tough times. That will definitely help us out this season.

Describe what it is like to be a part of the Auburn swimming program.
My freshmen year, PK pulled me out in the middle of the floor during the first dry-land workout (I was of course terrified!) and told me that this team was my family now. It is something that has stuck with me because of the validity in what he said. We truly are each others' family and can count on each other no matter what. That is why we are so successful.

If you could be a part of any other sport, what would it be and why?
Well, being 6-2, I often get pegged as a basketball or volleyball player. However, my coordination on land is nothing short of tragic. I could see myself playing water polo.

What has been your favorite class to take so far and why?
Most members of my family know French and I haven't always been able to understand or speak it like they can (except when asking for vanilla ice cream). So, I took French last year in hopes to catch up with the Geary family and had a really great class. The entire class was together for both French I and II. We had a lot of fun learning together, especially when we had French food parties!

What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast?
My favorite thing for breakfast definitely comes from Big Blue Bagel, where a lot of the women's team goes after a tough morning workout/circuit. I normally get a bagel and some eggs to refuel!

Jared White
You transferred from Minnesota before the start of last year. What brought you down to Auburn?
Choosing to leave Minnesota was definitely one of the bigger decisions I've had to make in my life so far. I just was not emotionally happy there - it was too cold. I knew I needed to pursue other options and the doors just seemed to open up at Auburn.

Last season was your first NCAA appearance and you came away with three All-American honors and a championship. What was that like?
Around February, I knew I could have a great end to my season. At the beginning of the year, I just wanted to be at that meet, but once I was there it was a different story, I was in a position to score. That whole week was incredible.

What are some goals you have personally for yourself this season?
I think there is a lot of mystery surrounding our squad in the college swimming world right now. A lot of teams are skeptical of our performance in March last year. For me, I want to train hard enough and perform well enough to again be in a position to help bring a trophy back to Auburn.

What have you seen so far from this team during practices and what can people look forward to seeing throughout the season?
Everyone is training hard. Our out-of-water sessions are going just as well as those in the water. We train hard at Auburn, so in season, we are often broken down. College swimming is a sport where the best really shine in March. I think we'll have a lot shining then.

Describe what it is like to be a part of the Auburn swimming and diving program.
Auburn Swimming and Diving is a unique program because our squads are combined (the men train alongside the women.) Inevitably, the women help the men and vice versa. We're all close and we all know how to embrace big moments - it's a great place to be.

If you could be a part of any other sport, what would it be and why?
I would definitely play tennis. My grandfather loved tennis and I caught a lot of his passion.

What has been your favorite class to take so far and why?
Any class with Tom O'Shea.

What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast?
Bananas and peanut butter before workout.

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