Kathleen Baker facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Kathleen Baker

Baker in 2024
Personal information
Nickname(s)	Thleen, ThleenBean, Little Bean
Born	(1997-02-28) February 28, 1997 (age 28) Winston-Salem, North Carolina, U.S.
Height	5 ft 8 in
Weight	149 lb
Sport
Sport	Swimming
Strokes	Backstroke, Freestyle
Club	SwimMAC Carolina
College team	University of California, Berkeley
Medal record Women's swimming Representing the  United States Olympic Games Gold 2016 Rio de Janeiro 4×100 m medley Silver 2016 Rio de Janeiro 100 m backstroke World Championships (LC) Gold 2017 Budapest 4×100 m medley Silver 2017 Budapest 100 m backstroke Bronze 2017 Budapest 200 m backstroke World Championships (SC) Gold 2018 Hangzhou 4×50 m medley Gold 2018 Hangzhou 4×100 m medley Silver 2018 Hangzhou 200 m backstroke Bronze 2018 Hangzhou 200 m medley Pan Pacific Championships Gold 2018 Tokyo 200 m backstroke Silver 2018 Tokyo 4×100 m medley Bronze 2018 Tokyo 100 m backstroke Bronze 2018 Tokyo 4×100 m mixed medley

Kathleen Baker, born on February 28, 1997, is an American swimmer. She is really good at freestyle and backstroke races. At the 2016 Summer Olympics, she won a gold medal in a team race called the 4x100-meter medley relay. She also won a silver medal in the 100-meter backstroke. Kathleen used to hold the world record for the 100-meter backstroke. She set this record on July 28, 2018, with a time of 58.00 seconds. She also held the world record for the 4x100-meter medley relay with her teammates Lilly King, Dana Vollmer, and Simone Manuel.

Early Life and Health

Kathleen Baker went to Forsyth Country Day School until she was in tenth grade. After that, she was taught at home. This made it easier for her to travel between Winston-Salem, North Carolina and Charlotte, North Carolina. She needed to travel to train with her swimming club, SwimMAC Carolina.

Kathleen's mother was also a swimmer for the College of Charleston. Her older sister, Rachel, swims for Washington and Lee University. Swimming seems to run in their family!

In 2010, Kathleen was diagnosed with Crohn's disease. This is a long-term condition that can affect the digestive system. She has learned to manage her health while still being a top athlete.

Swimming Career Highlights

Baker competing in 2017

College Swimming Journey

Kathleen attended the University of California, Berkeley. She swam for the California Golden Bears swimming and diving team. She was part of their team for three years, from 2015 to 2018.

Starting Strong: 2014–2015 Seasons

At the 2014 Phillips 66 Nationals, Kathleen finished second in the 200-meter backstroke. This helped her qualify for the 2014 Pan Pacifics team. At the Pan Pacifics, she placed ninth in the 200-meter backstroke.

Kathleen was also chosen for the 2015 World Championships team. She swam in the 100-meter backstroke and finished eighth in the final. She also swam in the early races for the 4x100-meter medley relay. Even though the team didn't win a medal, it was great experience.

Olympic Dream: 2016 Summer Olympics

At the 2016 Olympic Trials, Kathleen earned her spot on the Olympic team. She finished second in the 100-meter backstroke. This was her first time qualifying for the Olympics!

In Rio, Kathleen won a silver medal in the 100-meter backstroke. Her time was 58.75 seconds. Many people didn't expect her to win a medal. This was because she had never swum under 59 seconds before the Olympics.

She also won a gold medal with her teammates Lilly King, Dana Vollmer, and Simone Manuel. They won the 4x100-meter medley relay. Kathleen swam the first part of this relay race.

World Championships Success: 2017

At the 2017 World Championships, Kathleen won three medals! She earned a silver medal in the 100-meter backstroke. She also got a bronze medal in the 200-meter backstroke.

Her biggest win was a gold medal in the 4x100-meter medley relay. Kathleen started this relay for her team. The team, including Lilly King, Kelsi Worrell, and Simone Manuel, set a new world record with a time of 3:51.55! They broke the old record from 2012.

Even though she didn't win a medal in the 50-meter backstroke, Kathleen broke an American record in the semifinals. Her time was 27.48 seconds.

Personal Life

In July 2021, Kathleen Baker shared some exciting news. She announced that she was engaged to her longtime boyfriend, Sean Dowling. Sean is a member of the United States Marine Corps.

See also

In Spanish: Kathleen Baker para niños

• List of people diagnosed with Crohn's disease