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Kathleen Baker, who has Crohn's disease, cited being able to better manage her health as one of her reasons for her decision to turn professional.
WSWIM8/2/2018 11:00 AM | By: Cal Athletics
Kathleen Baker To Turn Professional
Kathleen Baker, a two-time Olympic medalist who set a world record in the 100-meter backstroke last week, announced Thursday that she is forgoing her senior year at the University of California to become a professional.
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Baker, who plans to remain at Cal to complete her degree requirements, added that being able to better handle the effects of Crohn's disease factored into her decision.
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During her three years swimming for Golden Bear head coach
Teri McKeever, Baker won three individual NCAA championships, contributed to a pair of NCAA relay titles, and helped Cal to two runner-up and one third-place national team finish.
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"I am excited to announce that I will become a professional athlete while finishing my degree at the University of California, Berkeley," Baker said. "This decision will allow me to best manage my overall health and Crohn's disease, as well as take advantage of opportunities outside the pool. College swimming has given me friends and memories that I will cherish forever. Teri and this team have helped me grow athletically, academically and personally, and while I'm looking forward to this next chapter, I will always be a Cal Bear!"
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"Kathleen has been an important part of our Cal program these past three years," McKeever said. "She has helped our team to three consecutive top-3 national finishes and has been a part of numerous individual and relay championships at the NCAA and Pac-12 meets. She has also added to Cal's legacy internationally having earned medals representing the United States at the Olympic Games and World Championships. I'd like to thank Kathleen for what she means to our program and wish her continued success in swimming and her career. She is a role model for those who have Crohn's disease, inspiring others with her outlook and high levels of success. I'm also pleased to know that Kathleen plans to continue her studies at Cal to complete her degree requirements studying health and illness through her interdisciplinary studies major."
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Baker finishes her Cal career as the school-record-holder in the 100-yard back (49.80), 200-yard back (American-record 1:47.30) and 200-yard individual medley (1:51.25). She was also a part of three school-record relays.
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Individually, Baker was named the 2017 CSCAA National Swimmer of the Year after winning three outright titles at the NCAA meet – 100 and 200 back and 200 IM. She repeated as the NCAA champion in the 200 back in 2018 when she set the American record. She was a two-time Pac-12 All-Academic choice, as well as a CSCAA Scholar All-American in 2018.
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Last week at the Phillips 66 National Championships, Baker won the 100-meter back in a world-record 58.00, tied for first in the 200 back and claimed the 200 IM in a U.S. Open-record time of 2:08.32.
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Internationally, Baker earned a silver medal in the 100-meter back and was a member of the U.S. gold-medal-winning 400 medley relay at the 2016 Rio Olympics. In 2017, she captured silver in the 100 back, bronze in the 200 back and gold on the 400 medley relay that set a world record at the World Championships.
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