Built on tradition: How Ohio State’s winningest program keeps its tradition alive

The Artistic Swimming team posing for a picture after finishing third overall at the U.S. Collegiate Championship on March 28, 2026. Credit: Courtesy of Ohio State Athletics. Respect the past, defend the present, protect the future. The motto that guides and motivates Ohio State’s winningest athletic program: artistic swimming. Since 1977, when the program won its first overall team national title, the Buckeyes have become a perennial national championship contender, hoisting the national championship trophy 33 more times since then, the most of any Ohio State athletic program. But in recent years, the Buckeyes have fallen short of reaching the peak. The last time Ohio State’s artistic swimming team won a national championship was 2023. The Buckeyes look to get back to the top of the mountain as they head into the new season starting in January. Head coach Holly Vargo-Brown said when you start to win a lot, people think it’s easy.

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