SEATTLE, Wash. - Chris Coley swam his way into the Seattle University record books in the 2006-07 season. When he is not in the pool or classroom, he is busy with community service. Coley embodies the type of student-athlete that the NCAA envisions.
Coley became a four-time All American in the 2006-07 season, a first in Seattle University history. In his career, Coley is a seven time All-American. He is a multiple-time conference champion and won a national championship in the men's 100 butterfly in 2006.
Right now Coley, a double major in psychology and philosophy, is on a four-month service trip in India, which amongst many things will support an opportunity for great reflection and personal growth while serving the greater good.
"Chris prioritizes academics first and foremost, but has done significant social work and his athletic prowess speaks for itself," said Seattle University head swimming coach Craig Mallery. "His personal development may be challenged in unique, demanding ways, and to bring these types of experiences back to a team setting has amazing potential for team enrichment."
At the NCAA Championships in March, Coley and his teammates finished sixth in the 800 freestyle relay with a time of 6:52.83. He finished sixth in the 200 butterfly final in a time of 1:52.41. Coley finished fifth in the men's 100 meter butterfly final with a time of 49.62 seconds.
Coley helped the 400 freestyle relay team to an eighth place finish with a time of 3:07.20. Coley contributed to the win in the "B" final of the 400 medley relay team in a school-record time of 3:23.23, earning a ninth place finish overall.
At the Pacific Collegiate Swimming Conference Championships, Coley won the 200 butterfly in a time of 1:52.68. Coley helped the 400 freestyle relay team finish second with a time of 3:05.04. He also was part of the victorious 400 medley relay team that finished with a time of 3:23.41.
Earlier in the season, Coley emerged victorious in the 100 meter butterfly (59.26 seconds) and the 200 meter butterfly (2:18.92) at the Logger Classic at the University of Puget Sound. Coley also finished fourth with a time of 50.18 seconds at the UNLV Winter Invite, competing against four Division I schools.
"He balances high quality in all he puts effort toward," said Mallery.
In 2006 Coley became Seattle's first Division II national champion, winning the 100 butterfly at the NCAA Division II Championships in a school-record time of 48.39 seconds. He also finished third in the 200 butterfly with a time of 1:50.15, one second faster than the school record he set at the conference championship meet.
He picked up three honorable mention All-America honors, anchoring the 800 freestyle relay team to a 11th place finish (6:57.82) and the 400 freestyle relay team to an 11th place finish (3:07.22). He swam the third leg on the 200 medley relay team that finished 14th (1:34.43). Coley won the 100 butterfly at the 2006 Pacific Collegiate Swimming Conference Championships by over a second and finished with the best time in the 200 butterfly.
Coley attended Westwood High School in Austin, Texas, where he earned Academic All-America recognition in high school. He holds team records in three events. He placed second in the 100 butterfly at the Texas state meet, and led the team to a fifth place finish in the state.