Christel Simms joined the University of Hawaii Women’s Swimming team as an assistant coach in Spring 2015.
Simms works alongside Dan Schemmel and helps with several aspects of the UH program, including preparing workouts, recruiting, and managing the popular @hawaii_swimdive Instagram account, which has nearly 1,000 followers.
A 2009 graduate of Punahou School in Honolulu, Simms swam both freestyle and butterfly events throughout high school. A high school All-American, Simms holds a multitude of HHSAA Hawaii State Records, and led Punahou to four-straight state championship titles.
Simms is the only swimmer to win maximum gold medals since 1998 in Hawaii.
On a full athletic scholarship, Simms took her talents to the University of Southern California in 2009. As a Trojan, Simms holds a number of school record times, is a 6-time NCAA All-American, and was appointed team captain during her senior year.
Simms was also a member of Trojan Swim Club, coached by former USA Olympic coach and current USC head coach Dave Salo. With Trojan Swim Club, she compete in numerous USA National Competitions, including the 2012 USA Olympic Trials in the 100m Free, 100m Back, and 200m Back.
With dual citizenship in the U.S. and Philippines, Simms competed in the 2008 Bejing Olympics in the 100m and 50m freestyle events. She also competed in the 2008 World Championships in Manchester, England and is a multi-national record holder for the Philippines.
Simms graduated from USC in 2013 with a B.A. in Human Biology and a Minor in Occupational Sciences. She is currently studying to completer her Master's of Science in Nursing degree in Advanced Public Health Nursing at UH, and will graduate in 2018. She is also a fully licensed Registered Nurse.
During 2014-2015 Simms coached the Punahou varsity high school swim team, and was an assistant coach at Hawaii Swim Club.
Simms enjoying spending time with her family, and still enjoys swimming for fun.
