Katie Meili '13CC Secures Spot on U.S. Pan Pacs Roster
8/6/2018 9:10:00 AM | Women's Swimming and Diving
The Olympic gold medalist placed second in the 100-meter breaststroke at the National Championships to compete with Team USA in Japan this week.
NEW YORK – Balancing Georgetown Law School and training seemed to be no issue for former Columbia women's swimming standout and Olympic gold medalist Katie Meili '13CC, who placed second in 100 breaststroke at the 2018 Phillips 66 National Championships on July 28. That finish earned her a spot at the Pan Pacific Championships in Japan this week.
Meili, who also served as a volunteer assistant for the Hoyas in 2017-18, finished behind world record holder Lilly King to securing a berth at the event, being held from August 9-14. By earning a spot, Meili can compete in any event she chooses, regardless of which event she qualified in.
"It's been one of the best summers I've had swimming," Meili told SwimSwam.com after Nationals. "I didn't know if I was going to swim this year. With school, I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to balance it all. Just the fact that I was able to continue swimming I'm so grateful. I'm definitely pleased. Definitely a lot of hard work."
Since winning gold with the 4x100 medley and a bronze in the 100-meter breaststroke in Rio, Meili won more gold at the 2017 FINA World Championships in Budapest, Hungary with the 4x100 medley quartet after swimming the second leg in the preliminary heats to qualify the United States for the finals, where they eventually went back to the top of the podium. Meili also took silver in the 100-meter breaststroke and bronze in the 50-meter breaststroke.
Meili, who also served as a volunteer assistant for the Hoyas in 2017-18, finished behind world record holder Lilly King to securing a berth at the event, being held from August 9-14. By earning a spot, Meili can compete in any event she chooses, regardless of which event she qualified in.
"It's been one of the best summers I've had swimming," Meili told SwimSwam.com after Nationals. "I didn't know if I was going to swim this year. With school, I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to balance it all. Just the fact that I was able to continue swimming I'm so grateful. I'm definitely pleased. Definitely a lot of hard work."
Since winning gold with the 4x100 medley and a bronze in the 100-meter breaststroke in Rio, Meili won more gold at the 2017 FINA World Championships in Budapest, Hungary with the 4x100 medley quartet after swimming the second leg in the preliminary heats to qualify the United States for the finals, where they eventually went back to the top of the podium. Meili also took silver in the 100-meter breaststroke and bronze in the 50-meter breaststroke.
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