Chris is from Wilmington, Delaware where he graduated from Archmere Academy. Captain of his high school team his senior year, he placed 3rd in the 100 back and 100 fly at states and earned all-state honors all four years. Outside of the pool, Koppel is an Army ROTC cadet and plans to contract for a scholarship and pursue commision as an officer after graduation. He also plans to major in engineering. While he's at home, Koppel trains with his old club team, Delaware Swim Team, under coach Jay Lynch. He's the son of Donna and Peter Koppel, a computer consultant and nuclear engineer, respectively. Chris has one sibling, his younger brother P.J., who is a senior in high school and will be swimming for the University of Notre Dame next year on scholarship.