Lily King (February 10th 1997) is an American swimmer from Evansville, Indiana, who will competed in the 2016 Olympic games in Rio. King started swimming at seven-years-old because she said it was the only thing to calm her down.

High School

King has been on the USA swimming radar since a freshman at FJ Reitz High School and a member of Newburgh Sea Creatures. She won her first junior national title in the 100-yard breaststroke age 16 at the US Winter Junior Nationals. Her time of 59.67 was a new National Age Group record.

King graduated from Reitz High School in 2015.

College Career

King decided to stay close to home and attend the University of Indiana (Class of 2019).

King stunned the collegiate swimming world at her first NCAA appearance. In the 100-yard breaststroke, she dived under the 57 second mark for the first time in history. Having already broken the NCAA, American and US Open records with a 57.15 in the prelims, she came back even faster in the finals to take the title in 56.85.

Her 200-yard breaststroke was nothing short of amazing either, as she sent records flying again. King managed to sweep all the 200 yard breaststroke records by almost half a second. She took gold almost three seconds ahead of her Hoosier teammate in 2nd.

2016 US Olympic Trials

King continued her explosive rise to the top by winning the 100M Breaststroke and becoming another first time Olympian. Her time of 1:05.20 puts her among the top in the World this year and surely makes her a true contender for gold.

King added the 200M Breaststroke to her Olympic swims by winning the event with a time of 2:24.08, just .31 seconds ahead of second place finisher, Molly Hannis, another first time Olympian.

Family Life

King’s father, Mark King, is a industrial designer and her mother, Ginny King, is a teacher. Mark ran track and cross-country at Indiana State and Ginny swam for Eastern Kentucky and Illinois State.