University of California Athletics

USA Swimming bio
Exception Woman - Kathleen Baker A Role Model For Kids With Crohn's Disease - Cal Sports Quarterly

OLYMPICS

• Had an outstanding meet at the 2016 Olympics in Rio, winning a silver medal in the 100m back and a gold medal for her leadoff leg in the 400m medley relay
• Finals time in the 100m back of 58.75 was a PR (since broken) and moved her up to second all-time on the U.S. list (as of 7/25/17)
• The relay win was the 1000th gold medal in U.S. Olympic history
• Qualified for the 2016 U.S. Olympic Team after placing second in the 100m back with a then-PR time of 59.29 at the Olympic Trials in Omaha, Neb.

CALIFORNIA SUCCESS

• Announced she would turn professional and forgo her final year of eligibility in August 2018
• Completed her junior year as Cal's school-record holder in the 100 back (49.80), 200 back (1:47.30) and 200 IM 1:51.25), while she is fifth all-time in the 200 free (1:42.66)
• Set an American record in the 200 back (1:47.30) while winning the event for the second year in a row at the 2018 NCAA Championships. In addition, placed third in the 100 back (50.18) and second in the 200 IM (school-record 1:51.25), while being a part of four relays that placed among the top three
• Captured both the 200 back (meet-record 1:48.27) and 200 IM 91:52.70) at the 2018 Pac-12 Championships while also taking second in the 100 back (season-best 50.13)
• In addition to individual races, helped Cal to wins in the 200 medley relay, 800 free relay and 400 free relay at the 2018 Pac-12 meet, as well as a runner-up finish in the 400 medley relay that set a school record with a time of 3:25.50
• Won three events - 100 and 200 back and 200 IM - at the USA College Challenge in October 2017
• Named 2017 CSCAA National Swimmer of the Year after winning three events at the NCAA Championships
• Captured the 2017 national titles in the 100 back (49.84), 200 back (1:48.44) and 200 IM (school-record 1:51.69)
• Also a member of the NCAA-winning 200 medley relay and third-place 400 free relay
• Broke Natalie Coughlin’s 15-year-old school record in the 100 back after leading off the 400 medley relay in 49.80 during prelims
• At the 2017 Pac-12 Championships, captured the conference title in the 200 back (1:48.33) and was second in both the 200 IM (1:52.74) and 100 back (50.27). Also a member of Cal’s runner-up 800 free relay and 400 medley relay and third-place 400 free relay
• The 2016 NCAA runner-up in the 200y IM in 1:52.95; also took 13th in the 100y back in 51.54 and 13th in 200y back in 1:52.27; swam on Cal's 400y free relay that placed sixth
• At the 2016 Pac12 Championships, was runner-up to teammate Amy Bilquist in the 200y back (1:50.74), finished second in the 200y IM (1:52.80) and took fourth in the 100y back (51.05)
• Selected Cal’s team MVP in both 2017 and '18 and was a finalist for the 2017 Honda Award for swimming & diving
• A 2018 CSCAA Scholar All-American
• Chosen honorable mention Pac-12 All-Academic in 2017 and '18

INTERNATIONAL SUCCESS

• Earned a silver medal in the 100m back at the 2017 FINA World Championships, touching in 58.58; also claimed a bronze medal in the 200m back and was fifth in the 50m back after setting an American record in the semifinals (27.48)
• In addition to her individual events, broke the world record and won a gold medal swimming the leadoff leg in the 400m medley relay at 2017 Worlds
• Captured the silver medal in the 200m free relay and placed sixth in the 100m at the 2014 Short Course Worlds in Doha, Qatar
• Qualified for the U.S. team in the 200m back for the 2014 Pan Pacific Championships
• Won four medals at the 2013 FINA World Junior Championships, including silver medals in the 100m and 200m back and bronze medals in the 400m medley relay and mixed 400m medley relay

NATIONAL SUCCESS

• Set a world record in the 100m back (58.00) at the 2018 Phillips 66 Championships; also won the 200m IM in a meet-record time and tied for first in the 200 back to qualify for the Pan Pacific Championships in all three events
• Won both the 100m back (U.S. Open and meet record 58.57) and 200m back (2:06.38) at the 2017 Phillips 66 Nationals to qualify for the World Championships team; also finished second in the 50m (27.69)
• Placed fourth in the 200 IM at the 2013 Winter Nationals
• Won the bronze medal in the 400m IM at the 2013 Speedo Junior Nationals
• Member of the 2015-16 U.S. National Team
• Participated in the 100 back, 200 back and 200 IM at the 2012 Olympic Trials

PERSONAL

• Parents are Norris and Kimberly Baker
• Interdisciplinary Studies major with an emphasis in health and illness
• Has Crohn's disease and uses her success in the pool to try to inspire others
• Honored with the key to the city in her hometown of Winston-Salem, N.C., after the 2016 Olympics