6 Firsts for Olympic Rookie Kelsi Worrell in 2016

Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick

Editorial Coverage Sponsored By FINIS

By Julia Cunningham, Swimming World College Intern

In the past few weeks the swimming world has been hit by many surprises: from world record holders missing the Olympic team to the amount of new faces that now grace the Olympic roster. One new face, though not new to the spotlight, is that of Kelsi Worrell.

Worrell, recently graduated from the University of Louisville, had one of the most exciting seasons of any athlete to go through Louisville. 2016 was definitely her time to shine, and there are plenty of reasons why. Below are just a few…

1. She won the 100 butterfly at the US Trials.

Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick

Worrell swam an exciting race in Omaha, bringing home her last 50 in under 30 seconds to touch out Dana Vollmer for gold. This earned her an Olympic berth and set her up well for the final in Rio, where she will race defending Olympic champion, Vollmer, again and world record-holder in the event, Sarah Sjostrom of Sweden.

2. She holds the fastest time of any American in the 100 meter butterfly.

Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick

Worrell’s 56.48 is the fastest time posted by an American for this year, and the second fastest in the world rankings going into Rio.

3. She is the first American swimmer from the University of Louisville to qualify for the Olympics.

Photo Courtesy: Annie Grevers

Worrell has left quite the legacy at her alma mater. She has blazed a trail of school and conference records during her time as a Cardinal. Not only is she the first American swimmer to qualify for the Olympics, she also is just the third Cardinal ever.

4. She is the firstborn of six siblings.

Photo Courtesy: Annie Grevers

Many of Worrell’s younger siblings have followed her wet footprints into the pool. Her sister, Taylor, swims at the University of South Carolina and also competed in the 2016 Olympic Trials. Worrell enjoys knitting, baking, and scuba diving— all good activities to share with the family!

5. She is the first woman to go under 50 seconds in the 100 yard butterfly.

Photo Courtesy: Annie Grevers

Worrell smashed her own NCAA and American record records in the 100 butterfly (49.43) at the 2016 NCAAs, one year after becoming the first woman to break the 50-second barrier at the 2015 NCAA Championships. This was Worrell’s fourth individual NCAA title . She won both the 100 and 200 butterfly at 2015 and 2016 NCAAs.

6. She and Team USA won gold in the 4×100 medley relay at the 2015 Pan American Games with a Pan-Am Games record.

Jul 18, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Kelsi Worrell of the United States competes in the women's swimming 4x100m medley relay final during the 2015 Pan Am Games at Pan Am Aquatics UTS Centre and Field House. Mandatory Credit: Erich Schlegel-USA TODAY Sports

Photo Courtesy: Erich Schlegel/USA Today Sports Images

Technically, this “first” was in 2015, but still worth noting. The team of Natalie Coughlin, Katie Meili, Kelsi Worrell and Allison Schmitt scorched to victory in a Pan-Am Games record of 3:56.53 last summer. The time was slightly faster than Team USA’s relay (3:56.76) at the more prestigious meet of 2015, World Championships in Kazan, Russia. Worrell has shown she’s someone who can be counted on in Team USA relays.

Fly to victory in Rio, Kelsi!

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Cynthia Granata

7 years ago

NJ!