Keith Laabs

Position:
Backstroke
Height:
6-5
Weight:
200
Class:
Freshman
Hometown:
Memphis, Tenn.
High School:
White Station

Career Best Times: 48.59 in the 100-yard backstroke (2nd in school history); 1:45.43 in the 200-yard backstroke (School Record, 10th in ACC history).

General: Three-time letterman who will come into his senior season as the Tar Heels' top returning backstroker...named team captain for both the 2006-07 and 2007-08 seasons...has regularly been named to the ACC Honor Roll (3 times) and as Dean's List honoree (5 times) during his first three years at Carolina.

2006-07: Was a major contributor at ACC Championships, leading off both the fifth place 200-yard medley relay and third place 400-yard medley relay...also swam on the third place 400-yard freestyle relay at ACC's...recorded a career best in the 50 freestyle at 21.09 and in the 200-yard backstroke where he placed fifth after having the No. 1 qualifying time...his time in the 200-yard back lifts him atop the All-Time Top 10 list...finished second in the 100-yard back at the ACC Championships, moving onto the Top 10 All-Time list in second place at 48.59...named ACC Men's Performer of the Week November 13, 2007..earned All-ACC Honors in the 100 back..copped a spot on the All-ACC Swimming Academic Team...a Dean's List selection both semesters...also named to ACC Academic Honor Roll.

2005-06: Set a career best time in the 200-yard backstroke with a 1:47.96 in the prelims of ACC's, ranking him first on the Carolina depth chart in that event...placed sixth in the championship heat of the 200...placed sixth in the 100-yard backstroke at ACC's after going career best in prelims with a 49.18 time...led off fourth place 400 medley relay team in 49.37.

2004-05: One of four freshman swimmers to compete at the ACC Championships...won the bonus consolation heat of the 100-yard backstroke in 50.26 to take 17th place...finished 18th in the 200-yard backstroke ...earned status on the ACC Academic Honor Roll...was tapped for a spot on the Dean's List in the fall semester of 2004.

Prep: Graduated from White Station High School in May 2004...All-America his junior and senior years...state champion in the 100-yard back as a senior...runner-up as a junior...team captain for three years...competed in Junior Nationals his junior and senior years...led his team to the high school city championship all four years...Special Olympics coach...ranked eighth in a class of 405...AP Scholar with honors.

Personal: Given name Keith Lothman Laabs...nicknamed Papa Bear...born November 15, 1985 in Memphis, Tenn...son of Albert and Meta Laabs...has one brother, Mark, 23, who is on the men's crew team.

Kudos To Keith
Academic Major at Carolina: Psychology
Career Plans: Soccer Dad
Hobbies: Frisbee, Sleeping, Biking
Athlete I Most Admire: Frank Rockwell Comfort
Biggest Sports Thrill: Breaking school record in 200 back
Person Who Has Had The Greatest Influence on My Athletic Career: FRC
Favorite Food: Coca-Cola
Favorite Movie: Legally Blond 2: Red, White and Pink
Favorite TV Show: The Office
City I've Never Been To But Want To Visit: Zurich
Entertainment Figure I'd Most Like To Have Dinner With: Johnny Depp