Lilly King

Lilly King is an American female swimmer born on 10th February 1997. She is a native of Evansville in Indiana, United States. Lilly is a Breaststroke specialist and represents the USA in 100m and 200m Breaststroke.

Background:

Lilly King was born to Mark King and Ginny King. Her father is a former track athlete who ran track and cross country for Indiana State University and her mother swam for Illinois State University. Lilly has a younger brother, Alex King.

Lilly started swimming at the age of 7. She attended FJ Reitz High School in her hometown, where she began to take up competitive swimming and was a member of Newburgh Sea Creatures.

In 2015, after graduating from high school, Lilly joined Indiana University Bloomington, where she trained under Ray Hooze, head coach of Indiana Hoosiers swimming team. She had represented them at the NCAA Division 1 Women’s Swimming Championships (2016-2019).

In 2019, Lilly King graduated with a degree in Physical Education from Indiana University Bloomington. That year, she took up teaching for 5 months at the Batchelor Middle School in Bloomington. She currently trains with Indiana Swim Club and coach Ray Hooze.

Rise to Glory:

Lilly King received her first career break in 2013 when she won the junior national title in 100m Breaststroke at the US Winter Nationals. The following year, she made her international debut at Junior Pan Pacific Championships and won two Gold medals in 100m Breaststroke and 4x100m Medley.

In 2015, Lilly won her senior national medal by taking home Silver in 100m Breaststroke at the USA National Swimming Championships. That year, she competed at the World University Games and a Silver and Bronze in 100m Breaststroke and 4x100m Medley, respectively.

At the 2016 NCAA Division 1 Women’s Swimming Championships, Lilly clinched two titles in 100m and 200m Breaststrokes. She would go on to win three consecutive NCAA titles in 100m and 200m Breaststrokes (2017-2019). In 2017, Lilly clinched three national titles in 50m, 100m, and 200m Breaststrokes at the USA National Swimming Championships.

Lilly King holds two world records in 50m and 100m Breaststrokes.

Major Achievements:

Lilly King made her senior international debut at the 2016 Rio Olympics, where she won two Gold medals in 100m Breaststroke and 4x100m Medley. That year, she clinched four titles in 50m Breaststroke, 4x50m Medley, 4x100m Medley, and 4x50m Mixed Medley, and a Silver in 100m Breaststroke at the World Swimming Championships.

At the World Aquatics Championships, Lilly took home seven titles in 50m, 100m Breaststrokes, 4x100m Medley (2017 and 2019), 4x100m Mixed Medley (2017), and a Silver medal in 4x100m Mixed Medley (2019). In 2018, she won a Gold medal in 100m Breaststroke, and two Silver in 200m Breaststroke and 4x100m Medley at the Pan Pacific Swimming Championships.

Lilly King will look to qualify for the 2021 Tokyo Olympics at the US Olympic Trials in order to defend her Gold medal in 100m Breaststroke.