Matt Ellis
Born Dec. 21, 1993 to parents, John and Margaret, 2014-2015 USA Swimming National Team member Matthew Ellis was a standout from an early age. He’s from Austin, Texas and attended Westlake High School where he was a member of the U.S. Junior National Team. After spending his freshman season at the University of Georgia, Ellis decided to follow in the footsteps of his parents — who both graduated from the University of Texas — and transfer to UT.
University of Georgia
2012-2013
In high school Ellis decided to attend Georgia and make a huge impact on the sprint program. He earned two All-America (Honorable Mention) honors in the 200 medley relay as well as the 400 medley relay.
University of Texas
2013-2014
When referring to why he transferred from Georgia, Ellis said, “I love the school, coaches, and the guys here, but the sprint group just wasn’t here. Texas is the best place for me to be in route to Rio 2016.”
Upon his first NCAA Championships as a Longhorn, Ellis didn’t back down from any challenge. He finished eighth in the 50 free, 13th in the 100 fly and 15th in the 100 free, and later joined his Longhorn teammates to finish fourth in the 400 freestyle relay and second in the 200 freestyle relay. To date, Ellis is a four-time All-American and a four-time All-American (Honorable Mention) as a sophomore.
International Competition
Ellis is a member of the 2014-2015 USA Swimming National Team after placing fourth in the 100m butterfly at the Phillips 66 Nationals. His fourth-place finish also earned him a spot on the Pan Pacs roster.
Ellis qualified for the U.S. Olympic Trials in the 100m free and 100m fly, placing 12th and 14th. In high school Ellis was a member of the U.S. Junior National Team as a sophomore, junior and senior and also competed the 2010 and 2012 Junior Pan Pacific Swimming Championships.