NC State swimmer now has medal to match her dad :: WRALSportsFan.com
NANTERRE, France — NANTERRE, France (AP) — Kaylee McKeown still rules the women’s Olympic backstroke, but the Americans are right there, finishing with silver and bronze behind the Australian in the 100 back on Tuesday night.
World-record holder Regan Smith, who broke McKeown’s world mark with a time of 57.13 seconds at the U.S. trials last month, led at the turn but couldn’t hold off the hard-charging Aussie, who defended the title she won in Tokyo three years ago.
The U.S. also grabbed the bronze as Katharine Berkoff touched third in 57.98.
WATCH: Four fastest women ever duel in 100m backstroke final
Berkoff, a 5-time NCAA champion at NC State, now has a medal to match the four her father earned. David Berkoff is a two-time Olympian. Like his daughter, he excelled in the 100-meter backstroke.
“It’s just a crazy experience. It’s incredible,” David Berkoff said of his daughter’s medal performance.
He said Katharine’s motivation to swim came from within.
“Both my kids got into swimming because we were coaching and just kind of fell in the pool because we were in the pool all the time,” he said. “We never put any pressure on them to do anything.”
With her medal, the father and daughter bond is strengthened further.
“He was my first inspiration,” Katharine Berkoff said. “When I found out what he did, I decided I wanted to do the same thing.”
Her family says Katharine’s work ethic, sense of humor and determination led her to the starting block in the women’s 100-meter backstroke final. From there, she broke out strong and gave her all against some of the world’s best swimmers.
“I’m just trying to soak it all in and stay positive,” she said. “It’s a crazy experience, but it’s really special.”
Berkoff has a few team events remaining, but, her father says, with her individual races complete, she may be able to relax a little more.
“I think to have a chance to go to the Olympics in a foreign country is a wonderful experience, and I hope she comes away from this experience just really living in the moment,” he said.
WRAL Sports contributor Steven Schlink contributed from Paris.
Source: wralsportsfan.com