Two-time Olympic medalist Kathleen Baker has confirmed she’s training at NC State University with the Wolfpack Elite squad in between the International Swimming League (ISL) regular season and playoffs.
She’s currently living with a family friend in Raleigh, saying she wanted to train closer to her family (in Charlotte) and fiancé through the holidays. After that, Baker says she’s “playing it by ear.”
Baker, a member of the ISL’s LA Current, primarily trains at Team Elite in San Diego under coach David Marsh, but was planning on spending time in North Carolina—her home state—prior to the next round of ISL meet and has been welcomed at NC State.
NC State and Wolfpack Elite head coach Braden Holloway confirmed that the training move, at least for the time being, is temporary.
“Kathleen is currently here training with Wolfpack Elite and preparing for the next ISL segment,” Holloway told SwimSwam.
“She is spending some time in the North Carolina area and we are working with Coach Marsh to help move her forward while she is here in North Carolina.”
Baker added: “Braden has been awesome and super accommodating in letting me join his team.”
Baker, 24, competed in three matches during the 2021 ISL regular season, scoring 24 points for the Current.
LA finished fifth in the ISL regular season standings, with the top six clubs automatically advancing to the playoffs, while the last two spots were earned by the DC Trident and Iron in the Play-In Match.
The playoff phase is set to kick off November 11, with the Current’s first match scheduled for the 13th.
A native of Winston-Salem, N.C., Baker won two medals at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio, claiming gold on the women’s 400 medley relay and silver in the women’s 100 backstroke.
She also owns three LC World Championship medals from 2017, four SC World Championship medals from 2018, and broke the world record in the 100 back (LC) in the summer of 2018 in a time of 58.00. She currently ranks as the fourth-fastest woman of all-time in the event.
Baker also spent three seasons competing collegiately for the California Golden Bears, winning four individual NCAA titles before opting to forgo her senior season and turn pro in August 2018.
After fracturing a bone in her foot and twisting her ankle in early May, Baker missed qualifying for the 2021 U.S. Olympic team earlier this year, placing fifth in the women’s 200 back, 11th in the 100 back and 11th in the 200 IM at the U.S. Olympic Trials in June.
Baker 2 Im gold in Fukuoka
I stand corrected. Great choice Kathleen. 🐺
I have heard many national teasers who have either retired or switch coaches or swimming on own until they decide if and where they will swim. Swimswam should take a poll and see who is training where?!?
We need an onlyfans website for swimmers..eh maybe thats a little creepy
A LetsRun message board for swimmers?
I know the shoulda coulda woulda is of no use and no disrespect to the medallist’s, but Baker’s injury was so heartbreaking because at her healthy best, she could have won the 200IM in Tokyo.
Baker is a total beast. She got lats for days
Totally agree. In March 2020 at Pro Series Iowa, I’m pretty sure she was 2:08. She was primed for a 2:07 Olympic swim.