U.S. Olympic Trials: Lilly King Gets Silver Medal, Engagement Ring (VIDEO)

Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick

U.S. Olympic Trials: Lilly King Gets Silver Medal, Engagement Ring (VIDEO)

Lilly King has earned plenty of jewelry over the years at swim meets. Thursday’s was a little different.

King booked another swim at the Paris Olympics by finishing second in the women’s 200 breaststroke, then accepted a wedding proposal from boyfriend James Wells.

The proposal came just off the deck at the meet at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. King, who earlier in the week sealed her third Olympics by winning the 100 breast, finished second in the 200 in 2:21.93, just holding off Alex Walsh by .45 seconds. Kate Douglass won in 2:19.46, a meet record.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Swimming World Magazine (@swimmingworldmag)

King is a three-time Olympian, qualifying for the 2016, 2021 and 2024 Games. The Evansville native and Indiana University product is known for her global dominance in the 100 breaststroke. She has won two Olympic gold medals, two silvers and one bronze.

She is currently the world record holder in the 100-meter breaststroke with a time of 1:04.13, set at Worlds in 2017.

King swam for Indiana University and has continued her swimming career under the direction of head coach, Ray Looze, for the better part of ten years. King was a Big Ten champion as well as a NCAA champion.

James Wells, originally from Maine, was also a swimmer at Indiana, specializing in backstroke, butterfly and freestyle. He was an All-American, Big Ten Champion and NCAA qualifier. He also represented the USA in the 2013 World University Games and had a pro career at Badger Swim Club in New York, swimming at Olympic Trials in 2012, 2016 and 2021.

Wells graduated from IU in 2015 with a Bachelor of Science in security informatics. He is currently re-enrolled at Indiana University, earning a second degree, a Bachelor of Science in Astrophysics. He has an expected graduation of 2026.

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