Yanlei Su is in her first year as an assistant swimming coach at Illinois College.

Su brings more than 15 years of competitive swimming experience and over six years of coaching experience working with both competitive and recreational swimmers to the Hilltop. Originally from Chengdu, China, she trained with the Chengdu Swimming Team, represented Chengdu in provincial competitions, and represented Sichuan Province at the national level before continuing her collegiate career as a student-athlete at the University of Electronic Science and Technology of China (UESTC). Throughout her competitive career, Su earned numerous provincial and national honors, including a bronze medal in the 50-meter butterfly at the 2021 China College Students Swimming Championships and national championship titles in the 50-meter and 100-meter butterfly at the China National Youth Swimming Championships.

Recently, Su earned 2025 U.S. Masters Swimming All-American honors in the 200-yard butterfly, finishing as the runner-up in the 200-yard butterfly at the 2025 TYR College Club Swimming National Championships, and was named the 2025–26 GW Club Sports Athlete of the Year.

Su has coached more than 3,000 swimmers of all ages and ability levels, ranging from beginners learning water safety to competitive athletes pursuing national-level competition, and served as President and Head Coach of the UESTC Swimming Club for four years, growing the organization from fewer than 300 members to more than 1,800 while leading community swim instruction programs, organizing university competitions, and mentoring competitive swimmers. At George Washington University, she continued her coaching career as Head Coach of the school’s swim club while supporting the NCAA Division I swimming and diving program as a student manager. 

Su hold ASCA Level 3 Coach and NSCA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) certifications, along with CPR/AED/First Aid certification and multiple national coaching, officiating, lifeguarding, and sport management certifications. Her coaching philosophy centers on individualized athlete development, open communication, and the creation of an environment where student-athletes are challenged, supported, and encouraged to reach their full potential both in and out of the pool.

Outside of coaching, Su enjoys photography, traveling, and playing table tennis. She loves to document sporting events through photography and explore different cultures through travel, experiences that continue to shape my perspective as both a coach and an educator.

Su earned her Master of Science in Sport Management from George Washington University, graduating first in her cohort and receiving the Sport Management Academic Excellence Award.