Cedar swimmer Christopher Koch commits to Georgia Tech

For the average adult, swimming 500 meters in ten minutes would be a great achievement. To reach the Georgia state championship meet, competitors must swim the distance in five minutes and seven seconds. Christopher Koch, Cedar Shoals senior, swims it in four minutes and thirty seconds. Koch swims for both the Athens Bulldogs Swim Club and the Cedar Shoals Aqua Jags, where he is the team captain. He is also one of the most decorated members of the team, having attended multiple state championships and even qualifying for the Junior National Championship in 2024. Koch officially signed his letter of intent to Georgia Tech last week.

“I talked to a couple schools, including Davidson in North Carolina, Boston University, and Kenyon in Ohio, but Georgia Tech had what I was looking for academically,” Koch said.

Koch has been a hotly sought after prospect during his time swimming, with him currently ranked as the eighth college prospect in the state by Swimcloud. Earlier this year, he verbally committed to Georgia Tech, an NCAA Division I university for swimming. The school was most recently ranked 21st in the nation by the College Swimming Coaches Association of America. Cedar Shoals swim team head coach  Bee Nordgren is happy with his decision, and thinks he will do well there.

“I think it’s great. The state meet is held there every year, and it’s a beautiful facility, very similar to the one here at UGA. It’s very exciting, and I think that he will thrive there,” Nordgren said.

Koch considered several other schools before committing to Georgia Tech, but decided on the school for its strong academic environment. Koch, who plans on studying mechanical engineering, will be joining the fourth ranked engineering university in the country according to U.S. News. He also already has a strong relationship with the team.

“I talked to a couple schools, including Davidson in North Carolina, Boston University, and Kenyon in Ohio, but Georgia Tech had what I was looking for academically. It’s in state, not too far from home, and I’ve met the coaches and swimmers there, and I really love all of them,” Koch said.

Senior Ben Graichen has been swimming with Koch for seven years. He has been impressed by his work ethic throughout those years, especially his dedication to improving himself.

“He’s different. His dedication to the sport, his stamina, just going to practice multiple times a day, every single day, it’s something I don’t see in anybody else. His passion to constantly try to get better where he’s already perfect is impressive,” Graichen said.

When Koch started swimming in elementary school, it was just a way to stay active. Koch started out 17th in his club, and he is now ranked 17th in the state. Koch attributes his inspiration in swimming to his teammates and coaches as well as prominent Olympians.

“My swimming inspirations are the all time greats like Michael Phelps and Leon Marchand. There’s also a lot of people that I’ve met through swimming who I really respect as people, leaders and swimmers, and they’re some of my big inspirations,” Koch said.

Koch has built his stamina in the water with a careful regimen over the years. To stay in shape, he often bikes to school and even to dual enrollment classes at the University of Georgia. Aqua Jags head coach Bee Nordgren, has been especially impressed with Koch’s  ability to reflect on his performance.

“Every time we are together for a meet, he always asks for advice. He always asks ‘How did I do?’ ‘What can I do better?’ I love the way that he reflects on his race, or even a practice. He always wants to improve,” Nordgren said.

In his races this season, he serves as a utility swimmer, covering whatever role needs to be filled. Throughout his career, Koch has swam every stroke style, in distances from 50 meters to 1650 meters, showing his versatility. 

“I really enjoy having him as part of our team. In addition to being captain, he is also just a really great role model for younger swimmers,” Nordgren said.

With his college decision secured, Koch will be able to relax more for the rest of the season. 

“I’m looking forward to having fun at the meets, because it’s my last year swimming on the Cedar team. So I’m looking forward to spending time with teammates and having fun at meets,” Koch said.

Nordgren believes he is capable of continuing his career well past high school, and potentially to professional swimming.

“I just hope he achieves all his goals. I think he’s got the Olympics as a goal, so my hope is that he completes whatever the next challenge is, and he can be successful with our team and beyond,” Nordgren said.

With his career beyond high school far from over Koch offers a more general set of goals.

“My future goal is to just keep improving. Making progress, whether it be in little bits or major leaps, that’s what keeps me going, and that’s what I enjoy about swimming,” Koch said.