Elayne Chen

Class Freshman

Hometown Maple Valley, Wash.

High School Tahoma

Major Undeclared

Bio

Career-Best Times (collegiate)
100 Free: 52.81 at SEC Championships, 2.21.26
200 Free: 1:52.60 at Phill Hansel Invitational, 11.20.25
500 Free: 5:04.90 at SEC Championships, 2.20.26
200 IM: 2:12.25 at Phill Hansel Invitational, 11.19.25

As a Freshman (2025-26)
• Ranked among the top five on the team in both the 200 and 500 free
• Recorded career-low marks in the 100 and 500 free, swimming the 200 free (1:52.69) as well, at the SEC Championships (Feb. 17-21)
• Qualified for the D Final of the 200 free with her best time of the season at the Phill Hansel Invitational (Nov. 19-21)
• Also recorded her low marks at the time in the 100 free (53.16) and 200 IM at the competition
• Led the Dores with a runner-up finish in the 500 free (5:05.24) and competed in the 200 free (1:54.83) in final regular season meet at Arkansas (Jan. 30)
• Had then season-best time in the 500 free (5:08.11) and also swam the 200 free in tri-meet with Missouri and McKendree (Nov. 1)
• Won two races in her collegiate debut, claiming the 200 (1:55.36) and 500 (5:10.37) free in the Dores’ season-opening victory over North Florida (Oct. 4)

The Chen File
• Plans to major in medicine, health & society
• Competed at Tahoma High
• Helped the Bears win three straight state championships
• Also swam for the King Aquatic Club
• Recorded runner-up finishes in the 200 and 400 free, and was fourth in the 100 free, at the Sockeye Springtime Madness in May 2025
• Won the 200 free and placed second in the 500 free at the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association 4A state championship her senior year
• Claimed the 200 and 500 free at the West Central District Championships that season as well
• Finished second in the 500 and 1,000 free, adding a third-place result in the 200 free, at the Washington State Senior Short Course Championships in December 2023
• Daughter of Jie Zheng and Michael Chen
• Plays the cello in the orchestra

Why Vanderbilt: “I chose Vanderbilt because it offers diverse opportunities, a strong balance between academics and athletics, and a supportive community that helps students grow as individuals while preparing them for future success.”