University of North Carolina Athletics
2011-12 Swimming & Diving Roster
Katie Keel
- Position:
- Breaststroke
- Class:
- Senior
- Hometown:
- Knoxville, Tenn.
- High School:
- Webb School
General: Three-time returning letter winner who is a key member of UNC's breaststroke corps...also swims the freestyle sprints and the IM...a national qualifier in the 100 and 200 breaststrokes...member of the Carolina Leadership Academy and the Student-Athlete Advisory Council...
2010-11 (Junior): Named to ACC Academic Honor Roll for the third straight year...tapped for spring semester 2011 Dean's List...had an excellent ACC Championships meet...had her best conference finish ever in the 100-yard breaststroke, finishing fourth in 1:01.51...was also 11th in the 200 breast in 2:15.12 and 26th in the 50 free with a career best 23.64.
2009-10 (Sophomore): Had an outstanding sophomore year...swept the breaststroke events in UNC's dual meet win over Georgia Tech...also won the 100 breast in dual meet against NC State in a career best time of 1:01.97...won two titles at the 2010 Triangle College Cup...finished first in the 100 breast in 1:02.58 and was the top finisher in the 200 breast at 2:17.26...also placed second in the 50 free with a time of 23.95 seconds...named to 2009-10 ACC Academic Honor Roll.
2008-09 (Freshman): Went a career best time of 2:16.84 in the 200-yard breaststroke in the prelims at the ACC Championships, moving her into 10th place in school history in the event...made the consolation final of the 100-yard breaststroke at the ACC Championships in a time of 1:02.58, placing her in fifth place in school history...went a career best time in the 200-yard IM with a 2:05.08 at ACCs...placed 12th in the 100 breast and 15th in the 200 breast at the ACC meet...made the spring semester 2009 Dean's List...member of the 2008-09 ACC Academic Honor Roll.
Prep: Graduated from the Webb School of Knoxville, Tenn. in May 2008...played competitive soccer for nine years, played basketball for two years and played softball for three years...was a competitive diver for four years...started swimming at age 13 for the Pilot Swim Club...earned All-America citations five times...placed third in the 100-yard breaststroke at the state meet...was a short course national qualifier in the 100- and 200-yard breaststrokes...junior national qualifier in both the 100 and 200 breaststrokes...member of the National Honor Society.
Personal: Name is Katherine Marie-Annelise Keel...nicknamed KK...daughter of Beth Keel and the late Michael Keel...was born August 21, 1990, in Knoxville, Tenn. ...journalism major...participated in Coach for College program in summer 2010.
20 Questions With Senior Katie Keel
Section #1: Swimming & Diving
1. The best thing about being a Tar Heel swimmer is representing UNC both in and out of the pool.
2. My favorite thing about competing for Coach DeSelm is his odd sense of humor.
3. Since last year the aspect of my training I've worked on the most is timing my walls correctly on each turn.
4. My best friend on another college swimming team is Alexandra Wessel at Fordham University.
5. My greatest strengths as a swimmer are my mental toughness and competitive attitude.
Section #2: Hobbies & Interests
1. Away from the pool and academic pursuits I like to spend time traveling, meeting new people and reading.
2. The best movie I've seen recently is Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.
3. If I could compete in another sport at UNC it would be tennis.
4. The music act I'd most like to see in person is the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
5. The personal interest I have that might surprise my teammates is snowboarding.
Section #3: Food & Beverage
1. After a big meet, I'd like to eat at a buffet spread that included steak, baked potatoes, tapioca pudding and strawberries.
2. My favorite beverage is milk with ice.
3. My favorite food made by a relative is baked stuffed pork chops made by my wonderful mother.
4. My favorite place to eat in Chapel Hill is Artichoke and Basil.
5. My favorite guilty pleasure food wise is mint chocolate chip ice cream.
Section #4: Personality
1. My most prized personal possession is my camping blanket.
2. If I could go to dinner with a famous person it would be Denzel Washington.
3. My dream job is to be on Broadway.
4. The most interesting person I've met at UNC is Dr. Hedgpeth.
