Missouri Head Swimming Coach Brian HofferMissouri Head Swimming Coach Brian Hoffer
Swimming & Diving

Missouri Swimming Signs U.S. National Finalist

Jan. 14, 2004

Columbia, Mo. - Missouri swimming Head Coach Brian Hoffer has announced the addition of Chris McCrary to his 2004-05 recruiting class. McCrary, a senior transfer student from the University of South Carolina, will join the Tigers in the fall of '04.

McCrary, a St. Louis, Mo. native, attended Fort Zumwalt South high school. In high school he was an eight-time Missouri State Champion, an eight-time High School All-American and is the current Missouri state record holder in the 50-yard freestyle and 100-yard butterfly events. McCrary was also a three-time USA Swimming High School Academic All-American. During his high school career McCrary was able to break four high school state records in one meet. Academically, McCrary graduated fourth in his class of 529 from Fort Zumwalt and was named a St. Louis Post-Dispatch Scholar Athlete.

At the conclusion of his senior year in high school, McCrary competed in the 2000 U.S. Olympic Trials in the 100 and 200-meter butterfly and the 50-meter freestyle events.

While at USC, McCrary was an NCAA qualifier in the 50 and 100 freestyle and the 100 butterfly events. At the 2002 U.S. Spring Nationals, he finished sixth in the 50-meter freestyle, seventh in the 100-meter butterfly and 14th in the 100-meter freestyle. In 2002, McCrary was ranked 19th in the world in the 50-meter freestyle. At the 2002 Summer Nationals, McCrary placed fourth in the 50-meter freestyle qualifying him to compete in the 2003 Pan American Games as a member of the USA swim team. At the Pan-Am Games, McCrary finished 10th in the 50-meter freestyle.

While at USC, McCrary was an NSCAA Academic All-American and was on USC's Dean's list every semester except one when he was named to the President's list for having a 4.0 GPA.

McCrary is currently training for the 2003 Olympic Trials under the tutelage of his older brother, David McCrary, at the St. Peters Rec-Plex in St. Peters, Mo.

"Chris is someone that we have been looking for to help push us forward as a team. He is really what Missouri swimming is all about: strong academics and a work ethic to train hard," said Head Coach Brian Hoffer.