Rachael Kelch Verbal Gives Western Kentucky a Conference USA Medal Threat in 200 Back

Rachael Kelch, whose strongest results are in the back, fly and individual medley, from the Peoria Area Water Wizards has committed to Western Kentucky University.

The nearly 18-year-old Kelch, who attends Peoria Notre Dame High School in Illinois, heads into her senior year with a lengthy list of short and long course personal bests that were established in the past year. This summer she set six personal bests in the following events:  100-meter free, 100-meter back, 200-meter back, 200-meter fly, 200-meter individual medley and 400-meter individual medley.

Olympic cuts are in sight for the 5’5” Kelch, which is added motivation for her and her coach, Derek Amerman, in her senior year.

Last year, at the Illinois High School State Championships meet, Kelsh was 6th in the 100 fly and 5th in the 200-yard individual medley with a time that set a new school record for the Peoria-Notre Dame Irish.

Once in Bowling Green, the versatile Kelch will help the Hilltoppers in many areas, specifically the fly, the back, the individual medley and medley relays. She will be a three-event conference scorer as a freshman and realistically should contend for a Conference USA medal in the 200 back, at least, as a freshman.

Kelch’s Top Times