NCS swimmer Kathleen Baker teamed up with Lilly King, Kelsi Worrell and Simone Manuel to win the gold medal and set the world record with a time of 3:51.55 at the FINA World Championships in Budapest. It broke the former mark of 3:52.05, set by the Americans at the 2012 Olympic Games in London. The gold medal was one of three medals won by Baker. She also won a silver in the 100 back and a bronze in the 200 back, along with a 5th place finish in the 50 back.
Baker, formerly with SwimMAC and now with Team Elite, was one of several swimmers with North Carolina connections competing at the World Championships. In addition to Baker, Justin Ress of NC State/MOR, Tim Phillips of SwimMAC, Michael Chadwick -formerly with SwimMAC, and Katie Meili, formerly with SwimMAC also competed.
Chadwick, Phillips, and Meili each earned gold medals as members of winning relay teams. Phillips also placed 8th in the 50 fly. In addition to her relay gold medal, Meili also won a silver in the 100 breast and a bronze in the 50 breast. Ress finished in sixth place in the 50 back.
Chip Peterson and Ashley Twichell of NCAC also competed in the Open Water World Championships last week (see earlier posts for details).
Congratulations to all members of Team USA on a terrific meet!
Click here to visit the USA Swimming website for complete results and more.
