North Carolina State University Athletics
Photo by: Jack Spitser/Spitser Photography
Berkoff Sets 50 Back American Record, Qualifies for World Championships
4/28/2022 9:08:00 PM | Swimming
GREENSBORO, N.C. – Wolfpack women's swimmer Katharine Berkoff punched her ticket to the upcoming 2022 FINA World Championships after winning the 50-meter backstroke at the Phillips 66 International Team Trials on Thursday night.
Berkoff, who won the 100-yard backstroke at the 2022 NCAA Championships in American record time (48.74) just a month ago, added another American and US Open record to her resumè. The Missoula, Mont., native clocked in at 27.12 to win against a stacked field of women, and the swim also moved her to fifth-fastest of all time in the event.
Berkoff is the second member of the Wolfpack family to secure a spot on Team USA's roster for the World Championships meet, which is set for June 18-25 in Budapest, Hungary. NC State alumnus Ryan Held also earned selection to the team with his third-place finish in the 100-meter freestyle on Tuesday night. His 48.18 in the finals guaranteed him a relay spot for the World Championships, and Held is still set to appear in the 50-meter freestyle on Saturday.
Another NC State alumnus made waves alongside Berkoff on Thursday. Justin Ress swam in the championship final of the 50-meter backstroke on the men's side, touching in 23.92 for second place. In a race that saw the world record downed, Ress' second-place time was a lifetime best that was under the previously-existing American record.
Kylee Alons (sixth place, 28.16) and Hunter Tapp (11th place, 25.32) both competed in the 50-meter backstroke finals as well, with Tapp's mark in the B final standing as the best in his career. Tapp made a championship final appearance on Wednesday night, capping off his debut at the meet with a 1:56.79 200-meter backstroke mark that placed fourth.
Also in action at the meet, Luke Miller reached the B final of the 100-meter freestyle on Tuesday, and Wolfpack rookie Sam Hoover earned C final swims in the 100 and 200-meter freestyle events. NC State alumnus Coleman Stewart was a 50-meter butterfly A finalist on Wednesday, placing seventh in 23.91 and a B finalist in the 100-meter freestyle.
The Wolfpack continues action at the International Team Trials on Friday and Saturday. Prelims each day are set for 9 a.m. starts, and finals sessions begin at 6 p.m. from the Greensboro Aquatic Center.
#GoPack | @packswimdive
Berkoff, who won the 100-yard backstroke at the 2022 NCAA Championships in American record time (48.74) just a month ago, added another American and US Open record to her resumè. The Missoula, Mont., native clocked in at 27.12 to win against a stacked field of women, and the swim also moved her to fifth-fastest of all time in the event.
Berkoff is the second member of the Wolfpack family to secure a spot on Team USA's roster for the World Championships meet, which is set for June 18-25 in Budapest, Hungary. NC State alumnus Ryan Held also earned selection to the team with his third-place finish in the 100-meter freestyle on Tuesday night. His 48.18 in the finals guaranteed him a relay spot for the World Championships, and Held is still set to appear in the 50-meter freestyle on Saturday.
American record holder x 2 ❤️🔥
— NC State Swimming & Diving (@packswimdive) April 28, 2022
pic.twitter.com/EkocEYuyNX
Another NC State alumnus made waves alongside Berkoff on Thursday. Justin Ress swam in the championship final of the 50-meter backstroke on the men's side, touching in 23.92 for second place. In a race that saw the world record downed, Ress' second-place time was a lifetime best that was under the previously-existing American record.
Kylee Alons (sixth place, 28.16) and Hunter Tapp (11th place, 25.32) both competed in the 50-meter backstroke finals as well, with Tapp's mark in the B final standing as the best in his career. Tapp made a championship final appearance on Wednesday night, capping off his debut at the meet with a 1:56.79 200-meter backstroke mark that placed fourth.
Also in action at the meet, Luke Miller reached the B final of the 100-meter freestyle on Tuesday, and Wolfpack rookie Sam Hoover earned C final swims in the 100 and 200-meter freestyle events. NC State alumnus Coleman Stewart was a 50-meter butterfly A finalist on Wednesday, placing seventh in 23.91 and a B finalist in the 100-meter freestyle.
The Wolfpack continues action at the International Team Trials on Friday and Saturday. Prelims each day are set for 9 a.m. starts, and finals sessions begin at 6 p.m. from the Greensboro Aquatic Center.
#GoPack | @packswimdive
Players Mentioned
S Free/Back/Fly
/ Swimming
Back/S Free
/ Swimming
Free/IM/Brst
/ Swimming
Free/Fly/IM
/ Swimming
Free/Back/IM
/ Swimming
Back/IM
/ Swimming
S Free/Back
/ SwimmingBraden Holloway Reflects on Olympic Experience
Monday, October 28
The Moore Swimming Siblings
Tuesday, January 24
H.C. Kennett Award - Coleman Stewart
Thursday, May 14
2020 Swimming & Diving, Postseason
Sunday, March 08