Wayne Ross, a Magnolia native, was an All-AIC swimmer at Southern Arkansas four consecutive years from 1980-1983.

Ross set and still holds numerous Mulerider swimming records for the 50, 100, 200, and 1,000-yard freestyle, the 100 breaststroke, the 200 individual medley, and as a member of the 400 freestyle, the 400 medley, and the 800 freestyle relay teams. His 1982 team participated in the NAIA national swim meet held in Vancouver, British Columbia, and at the NAIA national meet hosted by Ouachita Baptist in Arkadelphia in 1983.

Wayne was coached by his father, Dr. Delwin Ross, who also coached baseball, men’s basketball, and football in his long SAU career, and also played sports at what was then Magnolia A&M and a junior college. In his freshman season of 1980, Wayne helped provide his father with the AIC and District 17 coach of the year honors. Playing his final two years at Henderson State, Dr. Ross was recently inducted into their Hall of Honor.