• Four-year full athletic scholarship
• Six-time NCAA All-American in swimming
• Member of three NCAA National Champion teams
• 2000 Olympic Trials participant in three swimming events

In the sport of swimming there are many great coaches who can’t swim and many great swimmers who can’t coach. COTA’s head coach, Ryan Ciccarelli (a.k.a. “Coach Chic”), embodies the rare and powerful combination of world-class swimmer and talented coach and stroke instructor.

Coach Chic has been teaching and coaching swimmers in Austin, Texas since 1999. His professional coaching career began with T3 (Total Technique Training), an organization that specializes in training triathletes of all levels and ages. In 2004 he founded his own USA Swimming team, the Austin Texas Piranhas, where he developed accomplished age group and senior swimmers. Coach Chic became the head coach of COTA in 2009. His COTA swimmers have achieved remarkable success, including record-setting swims at state competitions.

Coach Chic believes in complementing his demanding training regimen with meticulous stroke instruction in order to prevent the injuries that can result from flawed technique. He devises creative and varied approaches to help all swimmers master the four strokes, and he encourages his swimmers to ask questions whenever needed. His practices are challenging but never predictable or boring! Coach Chic keeps his swimmers on their toes, knowing that motivated, excited swimmers ultimately become strong, accomplished athletes.

Amy Marsh

Assistant Coach

I started swimming at the age of 5. I continued to swim through high school in upstate New York where I was the New York State Champion in the 100 free. I was recruited by the University of Minnesota and offered a full scholarship. While at Minnesota, I was a seven-time All American, part of the 1999 and 2000 Big Ten Championship team, and competed at the the 2000 Olympic Swimming Trials.  

I raced my first ever triathlon in 2002, Danskin. In 2005 I qualified for the Ironman World Championships in Kona, HI as an age grouper. I began racing professionally in 2006 and had the opportunity to race and train all over the world. As a professional, I placed 10th, 11th and 17th at the Ironman World Championships in Hawaii, won 4 Ironman branded triathlons (China, Brazil, Lake Placid and Wisconsin), 2 Iron-distance triathlons, 3 Half Iron distance races, and was named USAT Long Distance Triathlete of the year in 2010.

I have over 15 years experience coaching kids and adults (swimming and triathlons) of all ages and abilities. 

I am a cancer survivor and have since retired from professional racing. In my spare time I enjoy exercising for fun and spending time with my husband (Brandon), Daughter (Avery) and dog (Roxy)!