· Academic All-Big Ten
· Big Ten Postgraduate Scholarship Recipient
• Competed primarily in the breaststroke events
• Posted career-best times in the 100 (53.24) and 200 breast (1:57.14) at the Big Ten Championships
• In program history, finished his career ranked fourth in the 100 and fifth in the 200
• Accounted for 27 team points at the Big Ten Championships, winning the B final of the 100 breast and placing second in the C final of the 200 breast
• Won the 100 breast at the Big Ten Triple Duals and the Indiana Intercollegiates
• Out touched All-Americans Conner McHugh of Minnesota and teammate Marat Amaltdinov to win the 100 breast at the Big Ten Triple Duals
• Accounted for 10 team points at the Purdue Invitational by qualifying for the B final of both breaststroke events
• Swam the breaststroke leg on the victorious 200 medley relay team in the dual meet win vs. Michigan State
• Posted a career-best time of 21.21 in the 50 free at Big Tens
2016-17 / AS A JUNIOR
· Academic All-Big Ten
· CSCAA Honorable Mention Scholar All-America
· Competed primarily in the breaststroke events
· Winner of the team's most-improved award
· Posted career-best times in the 100 (53.87) and 200 breast (1:57.83) as well as the 200 IM (1:51.55) at the Big Ten Championships
· Ranked second on the team in both breaststroke events and moved up to sixth place in program history in the 200 and seventh in the 100
· Accounted for 27 team points at Big Tens by qualifying for the B final of both breaststroke events
· Won the 100 breast at the Indiana Intercollegiates and the 200 in dual meet victory vs. Miami (Ohio)
· Qualified for the A final of both breaststroke events at Virginia Tech's H2Okie Fall Invitational, accounting for 26 team points
· Finished second behind teammate Marat Amaltdinov in both breaststroke events at Notre Dame
· Represented Purdue at the USA Swimming Phillips 66 National Championships in June
· Swept the breaststroke events at the Indiana Senior State Championships in July
2015-16 / AS A SOPHOMORE
· Academic All-Big Ten
· CSCAA Honorable Mention Scholar All-America
· Competed primarily in the breaststroke events
· Posted career-best times in the 100 (54.97) and 200 breast (2:00.40) as well as the 200 IM (1:51.77) at the Big Ten Championships
· Breaststroke times both ranked third best on the team in 2015-16 and he moved into ninth place in program history in the 100
· Qualified for the C finals of the breaststroke events at the Big Ten Championships to account for five team points
· Finished eighth in the A finals of both breaststroke events at the Purdue Invitational to account for 16 team points
· Won his heat of the 50 free at the Indiana Intercollegiates
2014-15 / AS A FRESHMAN
· Competed in the breaststroke and individual medley events
· Season-best times in the 100 (55.54, 4th) and 200 breast (2:00.65) from the Big Ten Championships both ranked among the top five on the team in 2014-15
· Also posted a season-best time in the 200 IM (1:52.33) at Big Tens
· Had strong showings in the 100 (55.90) and 200 breast (2:02.37) along with the 200 IM (1:57.01) at the Minnesota Grand Prix
· Won the C final of the 100 breast and qualified for the B final of the 200 breast at the Minnesota Prix
· Won heat 6 and placed fifth overall in the 100 breast at the Indiana Intercollegiates.
HIGH SCHOOL
· Four-year all-conference honoree for coach Tony Kowals at St. Joseph High School in South Bend, Indiana
· Three-time Scholastic All-American
· First team all-conference as a sophomore and senior, second team as a freshman and junior
· Multi-year sectional champion and Junior Nationals qualifier in the 100 breast
· Part of 200 medley and 400 free sectional champion relay teams as a sophomore...
· Helped lead St. Joseph to four straight South Bend city meet championships
· Co-MVP as a senior and co-most valuable freshman his first year
· Four-year honor roll student
· Eagle Scout
PERSONAL
· Major: Accounting
· Full name is Christian Michael Bals
· Born in South Bend, Indiana
· Parents are Carl and Barbara Bals
· Family also includes siblings John, Bryan, Kevin, Melissa and Jenny
· Brother John swam at Ball State and sister Jenny played softball at Hillsdale College
· Brother Kevin and grandfather Kenneth are Purdue alumni
PURDUE PERSONAL PREFERENCES
Favorite Pro Team: Chicago Cubs
Favorite Player: Greg Maddux
Favorite Aquatic Center (Other Than Purdue): IUPUI Natatorium
Swimmer He'd Like to Race Against: Brendan Hansen
Most Exciting Event to Watch at a College Meet: 100 IM
Favorite Marquee Event: NCAA Tournament
Unique Skill: Disc Golf
Last Concert He Attended: Imagine Dragons
Band He'd Love to See Play Purdue: Imagine Dragons
Favorite Multimedia App: Netflix
Favorite Actor & Actress: Tom Hanks & Daisy Ridley
Favorite Movie to Watch on Team Bus: The Force Awakens
Favorite Super-Hero Series: Batman
Show He Can't Stop Watching: The Office
Favorite Month: July
Favorite Holiday: Independence Day
Favorite Food: Lasagna
Favorite Dessert: Chocolate Cake
Favorite Outdoor Activity: Hiking
Another Sport He Enjoys Playing: Sand Volleyball
Favorite Purdue Building: Co Rec
Favorite Purdue Athletic Venue (Besides Aquatic Center): Mackey Arena
Favorite Big City: Chicago
Countries He'd Like to Visit: Australia
Favorite Thing About the Morgan J. Burke Aquatic Center: The Hot Tub
Most Memorable Moment at Purdue: 2017 Big Ten Championships
Best Thing About Being a Boilermaker: Everything
Furry Friend: Cinnamon, Golden Retriever