Katie Meili, a native of Carrollton, Texas, will go down in history at Columbia as one of the greatest swimmers the program has ever seen. From collegiate triumphs to global dominance, Meili has proven to be one of the best to ever grace Uris Natatorium’s pool and has earned copious medals and hardware to prove it.
Representing the women’s swimming & diving program, Meili reached the highest level, qualifying for the NCAA Championships twice in her career. At the 2012 NCAA Championships, Meili nabbed fifth place in the 100-Breast event. Then, the following year, she seized a Bronze Medal in the 100-Breast at the 2013 NCAA Championships. This led to her being named an NCAA All-American twice.
Through her four years with the Lions, Meili ruled the Ivy League, becoming a fixture on top of the podium at the Ivy League Championships every year. She earned the Ivy League Champion title three times in a row for the 200 IM, from 2011 to 2013. Meili also dominated in the breaststroke, securing victories in the 100-Breast and 200-Breast in 2012 and 2013. She was also a key cog on the Lions’ 200-Free squad that won the Ivy League Championship in 2012.
In addition to her hardware, to this day, Meili still holds three varsity records and two pool records. She owns the program-best mark in the 100-Breast (58.44) and also has the varsity AND pool records in the 200-Breast (2:08.00 & 2:12.66) and 200-IM (1:54.72 & 2:00.04).
Beyond Columbia, Meili also made waves on the global stage. The 2016 Summer Olympics was arguably the most significant moment of her career, contributing to the United States’ gold medal in the 400-medley relay. Meili also pocketed a Bronze Medal in the 100-Breast the same year. Meili continued her dominance with a silver medal in the 100-Breast at the 2017 World Aquatics Championships.
Meili’s legacy inspires swimmers everywhere, whom she continues to impact as a member of the USA Swimming Board of Directors, which she joined in 2020.
