CONWAY, S.C. — When Coastal Carolina's Christopher Norlin found out he'd been named the 2025 Sun Belt Newcomer of the Year, the recognition came as both a surprise and a validation of countless hours of hard work.

"I was really happy and grateful," Norlin said. "It's not something you think about during the season, so it caught me a little by surprise. It's a nice recognition, but in the end, team results always mean more to me."

Norlin, a native of Lidingö, Sweden, made an immediate impact for the Chanticleers after transferring from Northern Illinois, finishing his first season in Conway with an impressive 16–8 singles record.

Norlin's journey to Coastal was the result of timing and a bit of fate.

"It's kind of a funny story actually," he said. "I talked to Coach Powers the first time I was looking at schools after my junior career, but the timing didn't work out. So, when we reconnected later, it felt like everything just lined up properly."

He also credits a fellow Swede and former Chanticleer, Sebastian Schneider, for helping guide his decision.

"A Swedish friend who went to Coastal told me good things about the team and the environment," Norlin said. "That made the choice even easier."

Ultimately, it was the program's culture that sealed it for Norlin.

"What made me choose Coastal in the end was the culture. It's competitive, serious about development, but also has a good team feeling," he said.

Transitioning from Sweden's indoor and clay courts to Coastal's outdoor hard courts brought new challenges for Norlin, who spent his formative years training at KLTK, one of Stockholm's premier tennis clubs.

"In Sweden, I never played outdoor hard court," he explained. "The movement, the spacing, the timing, all of it felt new. It took time, but now I see it's helped me grow in ways I didn't even know I needed."

During his time in Sweden, Norlin developed his game at KLTK and achieved several milestones he's especially proud of, including winning his first ITF doubles title in Denmark in 2021, capturing the regional singles championship in 2020, helping his team win the Swedish National Team Championship that same year, and earning a memorable victory with partner Erik Grevelius over Davis Cup players Otto Virtanen and Viktor Durasovic in Sweden's top league competition.

Norlin attributes his success during the 2025 season to a combination of physical and mental growth.

"I think consistency and mindset were my biggest breakthroughs," he said. "I got better at finding ways to win even when things weren't perfect. Staying calm under pressure, not panicking when momentum shifts, and trusting my game in big moments, that's where I've taken a step."

He also found a renewed sense of confidence under the guidance of head coach Chris Powers and a staff that includes former Chanticleers.

"Coach Powers keeps things calm and straightforward," Norlin said. "He doesn't overcomplicate things, which has helped me a lot. Having former players as assistant coaches also makes a difference. They've lived what we're going through."

Off the court, Norlin admits that the hardest part of life abroad is being far from home.

"I miss my friends and family and a good home-cooked meal," he said with a smile. "But I love the energy around college sports in the U.S. The matches, the crowds, the team aspect, it makes everything feel more intense in a good way."

As he heads into his final season, Norlin's goals are clear and grounded in team success.

"My goal is to win the Sun Belt Conference title," he said. "I want to feel like I've left it all out there once I'm done and to be someone my team can rely on when matches get tight."

During the offseason, he's focused on building strength, improving his fitness, and refining his on-court intentionality.

"I'm trying to make every practice count," Norlin said. "Even the small things add up."

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