• 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.

Coach Chic coaches the Junior and Senior Swim Teams.

Amy Marsh

Assistant Coach

• The University of Minnesota Swimming and Diving Team Member 

Amy started swimming at the age of 5. She continued to swim through high school in upstate New York where she was the New York State Champion in the 100 free. 

She raced her first ever triathlon in 2002, Danskin. In 2005, she qualified for the Ironman World Championships in Kona, HI as an age grouper. She began racing professionally in 2006 and had the opportunity to race and train all over the world. As a professional, she 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.

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

Amy is a cancer survivor and have since retired from professional racing. In her spare time, she enjoys exercising for fun and spending time with her husband (Brandon), Daughter (Avery) and dog (Roxy)!

Amy coaches the Age Group Swim Teams.