Katharine Berkoff Scorches 48.55 100 Back in ‘Special Opportunity’ Fifth-Year Title

Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick

Katharine Berkoff turned a lot of heads a couple of years ago as the first swimmer in the 100 backstroke to go sub-49 and win her first NCAA title.

It had taken more than a decade for anyone to break 50 after all.

Since then Berkoff, like all college swimmers have been in the shadows of Virginia’s Walsh sisters.

But Berkoff has turned in a stunning NCAA Championships as a fifth-year, crushing the field and getting to the wall in 48.55, the best time of her career, which includes a 400 medley relay NCAA title.

“I was really happy with getting the opportunity to do this one more time,” Berkoff said. “Getting that title was pretty special. I wish I could have executed a tiny bit better, but I can’t complain, it was a great time for me. Really special in my last season to get that title.

“It is hard not to look at other people, but that has never done good for me. It is fun to watch other people succeed, too, you just have to be locked in on yourself.”

Berkoff returned for her fifth year of eligibility at NC State and has turned in another fantastic season.

“I didn’t even think twice about it,” she said. “I just wanted to be there for my team one more year, and college swimming has been a really fun experience.”

She was out in 11.39 and 23.55 at the 50. She was ahead, then pulled away on the back half and got to the wall in 48.55.

Her time makes her the second-fastest performer in history. Her previous best time was 48.70 and last year she was runner-up at 48.78.

“Every time I have gotten – in my mind – a big disappointment, it has reset my perspective on how I should approach meets and the pressure I put on myself. So I think getting second last year in the 100 back was exactly what I needed to get a better mindset going into the summer, this year especially.”

It was a 1-3 finish for the Wolfpack as Kennedy Noble finished third in 50.54.

Cal senior Isabelle Stadden finished second, her highest NCAA finish, getting to the wall in 50.47.

Wisconsin senior Phoebe Bacon was fourth in 50.55, one hundredth of a second ahead of Tennessee junior Josephine Fuller (50.56).

Indiana’s Kacey McKenna was sixth (50.64), followed by Southern Illinois’ Celia Pulido (50.73) and Texas A&M freshman Miranda Grana (51.65).

But none could break 50, let alone 49 – or even 48.6 as it turned out.

It wasn’t Berkoff’s only stellar race of the meet so far, either.

In the 50 freestyle, she finished runner-up in 21.09, the sixth-fastest performer in history.

“I have always had big goals, but to be able to get close to them in the 50 freestyle is pretty special because my freshman year I started in the 500. So switching to the 50 and being good at it was pretty rewarding,” she said.

That will lead to a 2024 summer where Berkoff aims to make the U.S. Olympic team.

“This week helped me learn to perform under pressure. I have done it a lot, but it is scary every single time. Just trying to remind myself that I do it because I love it. I am enjoying process and trying to take my mind off of trials until we get through this,” she said. “Confidence is a work-in-progress, but I have been working a lot on it and have been more confident this year than (previously).”

 Event 12  Women 100 Yard Backstroke
=========================================================================
         NCAA: N 48.10  2/23/2024 Gretchen Walsh, Virginia
         Meet: M 48.26  3/17/2023 Gretchen Walsh, Virginia
     American: A 48.10  2/23/2024 Gretchen Walsh, Virginia
      US Open: O 48.10  2/23/2024 Gretchen Walsh, Virginia
         Pool: P 49.34  3/22/2024 Katharine Berkoff, NC State
    Name                 Year School            Prelims     Finals Points 
=========================================================================
                       === Championship Final ===                        
 
  1 Berkoff, Katharine     5Y NC State            49.34      48.55P  20  
    r:+0.60  11.39        23.55 (12.16)
          35.95 (12.40)       48.55 (12.60)
  2 Stadden, Isabelle      SR California          50.42      50.47   17  
    r:+0.59  11.67        24.02 (12.35)
          36.95 (12.93)       50.47 (13.52)
  3 Noble, Kennedy         SO NC State            50.93      50.54   16  
    r:+0.60  11.87        24.42 (12.55)
          37.29 (12.87)       50.54 (13.25)
  4 Bacon, Phoebe          SR Wisconsin           50.48      50.55   15  
    r:+0.68  11.90        24.38 (12.48)
          37.33 (12.95)       50.55 (13.22)
  5 Fuller, Josephine      JR Tennessee           50.25      50.56   14  
    r:+0.63  11.75        24.39 (12.64)
          37.48 (13.09)       50.56 (13.08)
  6 McKenna, Kacey         JR Indiana             50.23      50.65   13  
    r:+0.63  11.88        24.53 (12.65)
          37.67 (13.14)       50.65 (12.98)
  7 Pulido, Celia          JR SIU                 50.98      50.73   12  
    r:+0.60  11.59        24.21 (12.62)
          37.27 (13.06)       50.73 (13.46)
  8 Grana, Miranda         FR TAMU                50.99      51.65   11  
    r:+0.59  12.15        24.97 (12.82)
          38.36 (13.39)       51.65 (13.29)

Name*

Email*

Welcome to our community. We invite you to join our discussion. Our community guidelines are simple: be respectful and constructive, keep on topic, and support your fellow commenters. Commenting signifies that you agree to our Terms of Use