FE Warriors Reignite College Swimming Legacy: From Smith to Bright
- Guerby Ruuska
- 23 hours ago
- 7 min read
Updated: 8 minutes ago
Bright posted to her instagram over the weekend, - https://www.instagram.com/p/DJfHhYuyYjG/?img_index=1
The FE swim program has experienced a resurgence in college swimming success, marked by a new wave of committed athletes who are carrying on the club's tradition of excellence. But this journey didn't happen overnight—it began with a trailblazer named McKenna Smith.
McKenna Smith: A Legacy of Inspiration
McKenna Smith’s commitment to Duke University was a watershed moment for the FE swim program. Smith was not only an exceptional athlete but also a symbol of excellence and inspiration. Academically strong, talented, and hardworking, Smith set a standard that younger swimmers looked up to.
“I remember when I first got here, kids were watching her on their phones, following her success at college championship meets,” said head coach Guerby Ruuska. “When she came back to help FE during the summers, she inspired kids like Regan. It’s amazing to look back and see how that impact has grown.”
The College Swimming Drought
After Smith’s departure, FE experienced a period of stagnation in college commitments, despite having talented athletes. According to Ruuska, a lack of motivation and cultural challenges prevented many from pursuing the next level.
“When I first got here, we had kids who could have easily swum at a high collegiate level, but they chose not to,” Ruuska explained. “It worried me because others were watching them."
“It’s hard to be a role model because all eyes are on you, and everyone wants to follow your lead,” Ruuska explained. “When the best of your program—four, five kids—choose not to continue to the next level, it worries someone like me as a coach. People are watching, following their lead, and when they see them stop, they think, ‘Oh, well, they didn’t go to the next level. Maybe I don’t want to either.’"
This phenomenon is the double-edged sword of being a role model. Athletes, even if they never intended it, become symbols of what is possible—or not. Some younger swimmers are motivated by those who pursue college swimming, while others are motivated by those who don't. Ruuska noted that the impact is long-lasting. “Even now, I have kids in my group who are affected by how they saw their predecessors treat that next step."
Ruuska reflects on his own time of being a leader on a swim team.
"It really isn't any fault of their own. Life is life, and we all must make choices that are best for us individually, but it just goes to show the power of a role model."
Aubrey Vaile Brings Hope Back to FE
Hope returned when Aubrey Vaile committed to Hartwick College in upstate New York. Vaile’s decision was a turning point.
“She opened the door for everyone. It didn’t matter if it was D1, D2, D3, or NAIA—she showed it was okay to be excited about swimming beyond high school level again.”
Ruuska admits that Aubrey brought a more real respective to it, which he thinks actually made the idea of swimming collegiately more popular.
"It's hard to describe, but some people are more turned off by those who are certain of what they want," Ruuska pointed out. "A lot of times, people who know exactly what they want can make us reflect on who we’re too afraid to become. So when kids are really sure about pursuing ambitions such as college swimming, some look at that and think, ‘That could never be me—the effort, the optimism, the consistent joy for the sport—it just seems, - unreal, impossible.’"
But Vaile was different. Her journey wasn’t defined by unwavering certainty. “Aubrey was so unsure about swimming in college. She wanted to, then she didn’t, then she did. She had days she loved the sport and days she was drained,” Ruuska explained. “And that’s real. A few years ago, we would have looked at that and just thought it was burn out, or hate for the sport, but today, our athletes are more knowledgeable about themselves and the process and they realize that, - it's just swimming, that’s just the reality of high-level sports. You can have a love-hate relationship, and it’s okay, you get to have days that you and the sport don't get along, and that's okay."
For many at FE, especially those who struggled with self-doubt, Vaile’s journey was a relatable example. “Her vulnerability and her willingness to keep going despite the uncertainty showed our athletes that they didn’t need to have everything figured out. They just needed to keep trying.”
The Return of College Commitments:
Alexis Horn Commits to Thomas University
Following Vaile, Alexis Horn committed to Thomas University in Georgia, an NAIA school. Horn’s journey was inspiring—she moved to Florida, uncertain about swimming, but her passion reignited, leading to her college commitment.
"Alexis was a special case because when I first met her, I would have never guessed she would have wanted to swim in college, but I always knew she had it in her. She just needed her wick to be re-lit." Ruuska said.
"Aubrey and Alexis are close and they did a lot of carpooling so I am sure they rubbed off each other on the ideas on swimming in college." Ruuska went on. "Alexis taking this next step really inspires the newer and older generation of FE athletes. Having a girl move here, who stopped swimming, just to take it back on and within a year, commit to a school.... it's pretty remarkable."
Ruuska also explains that her impact is less about swimming and more about good character.
"It goes back to what I was saying about role models, when you see someone you look up to do something, everyone wants to follow in their footsteps." Ruuska explained. "On the elite group there was like 25 kids and we did this character rating thing and Alexis got voted #1 teammate. So when someone like this makes a choice to pursue that next level, it's very impactful.
Next came Bright Going D1
who recently committed to Bowling Green State University (BGSU).
“I wasn’t surprised she got this opportunity,” Ruuska said. “She was willing to do things that others simply weren’t willing to do.” he continued, laying down the facts. "Aubrey motivated the old school, Regan motivates the new school. There is a whole age-group program that looks at her like their hero. She is to them, what Mckenna was to Regan and her teammates."
Ruuska reflects on the team character activity he made them do.
"You know, the apple does not fall far from the tree, because Alexis was ranked as the overall top teammate, Regan was 2nd and Aubrey was third... so the fact that all 3 are doing what they are doing, just makes so much sense when you put it all together.
Bright pondered and visited many schools but settled on BGSU.
"I just told her that if they had everything that she was looking for and she had a good experience when she visited, then go for it. Just do it, - commit." Ruuska reflects on the journey to now.
"I knew it was the right school for her, but I wanted her to come to that thought process herself."
Ruuska explains the mutual respect the coach and athlete have for each other.
"I don't have favorite kids, but all coaches have favorite athletes and they are the ones that just trust in us and respect us enough to do what we ask." Ruuska reflected on the last few years, "I have been to so many early mornings, so many early afternoons were it was just her and I grinding out some insane workouts, but I try to have those bonds with all my athletes, but not everyone is the same, and that's okay."
Ruuska saw the impact it had on the whole program. "I think the neat thing is that overtime, it started to uplift the whole team and the standards within her own group. People started showing up more, being more committed, going to more meets. You know, the best cultures, are the ones formed by the athletes, not the coaches.
Why College Swimming Matters to FE
For Ruuska, sending swimmers to college is about more than just numbers—it’s about expanding possibilities for the athletes.
“Look at the big clubs in Florida—most of their seniors move on to swim at major colleges. This isn’t new for them, but it’s special for us because it’s something we haven’t done consistently in a long time,” Ruuska explained. “But even during that drought, we were doing incredible things—sending kids to high-level meets, putting them on Florida teams, winning B and C finals at state meets, and producing state champions like Jeremy Morgan and Kevin Johnson.”
The recent success of athletes proves that FE is not only maintaining its high-performance standard but also reviving its college swimming legacy.
"We are Florida Elite, and I really want to make sure we are consistently working on improving all aspects of our organization. I saw a big hole, so now we are filling it."
The Approach to Developing College-Ready Swimmers
Ruuska’s strategy is clear: develop swimmers with room to grow. “I’m lucky to have experience coaching at the college level, but my job now isn’t to act like I know more than collegiate coaches. It’s to help our athletes find programs where coaches can make them better,” he said.
“We want longevity in our athletes. We want them to arrive on college campuses with room to grow, not maxed out as high schoolers. That means being strategic with their training—not pushing them to peak too early.”
The Future of College Swimming at FE
With a growing list of college-bound athletes and a renewed focus on creating opportunities, FE’s future is brighter than ever. But for Ruuska, the real question is whether the current generation of swimmers will embrace this momentum.
“We have a lot of kids right now who have the potential to take the same path as McKenna, Aubrey, and Alexis, and now Regan,” Ruuska said. “But it’s up to them. Do they take these moments as inspiration to see beyond the mountain? Or do they pull back into old habits? Swimming is as fun and rewarding as you make it, but I always say that college swimming is like the promised lands."
As FE looks forward, one thing is clear—the Warriors are back, and they are ready to make waves at the collegiate level, with no signs of slowing down any time soon.