Former NC State swimmer Katharine Berkoff claims bronze medal at Paris Olympics
For most of Katharine Berkoff’s time at the Paris Olympics, a smile has been across her face. When she nearly set a world record in her first swim at La Défense Arena, Berkoff wore an infectious grin. That returned soon after in the semifinal heats.
Why? That was Berkoff’s main priority for her Olympic debut — to have fun. And just as she thought, it helped pay off in the long run.
“I’ve always wanted to win gold, I’m not going to lie, that’s the main goal,” Berkoff said before she departed for Paris with Team USA. “But to get there, it will be to just try to enjoy my experience. … I’m going to try and relax and have fun. I think that’ll help me go faster.”
It did just that as Berkoff claimed the bronze medal in the 100 backstroke Tuesday afternoon with a 57.98. She joins Ryan Held as the second former NC State swimmer to reach the podium at the Olympics this year after he led the 4×100 freestyle relay in the preliminary heat.
Not only did Berkoff join a storied class of former NC State swimmers to earn an Olympic medal, but she did the same in her own family. Berkoff’s father, David, owns four medals from his time in the Olympic pool as a backstroker and relay swimmer in Seoul (1988) and Barcelona (1992).
The Missoula, Mont., native almost set a world record in her first Olympic swim with a 57.99 in the opening heats Monday morning. Berkoff was the No. 1 qualifier into the semifinals, just ahead of world record holder Regan Smith, a fellow American. She qualified third out of the semis with a 58.27 to make the final.
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Berkoff missed the Olympic games in Tokyo with a fourth-place finish at the trials, but she was able to cruise into Paris with a second-place finish at the trials in 57.91. Smith broke the world record with a 57.13 swim to claim the top spot in the event.
Before Berkoff impressed on the Olympic stage, she was an integral part of the Wolfpack’s program in Raleigh. In addition to being a five-time NCAA Champion, including three titles in 100-meter backstroke, Berkoff was also a 30-time All-America honors. Berkoff is a six-time ACC Champion, winning the 100-meter backstroke event in five straight years.
“She’s a program changer,” said NC State coach Braden Holloway, who is on Team USA’s staff as an assistant. “Not just what she does in the pool, she’s one of the most fun student-athletes that I’ve ever recruited. … Watching her grow and mature within our program and lifting it up, we were able to do things that we’ve never done with her here.”
In addition to Berkoff’s success in the water, she was named the 2024 H.C. Kennett Award winner, which honors the top female athlete at NC State. Berkoff was also the 2022 Honda Sport Award finalist and a four-time All-ACC Academic team selection during her time with the Wolfpack.
And now, Berkoff can add an Olympic medal to her well-decorated resume in the water.
