NC State alum Katharine Berkoff wins bronze medal in 100m backstroke at Paris Olympics

PARIS (WNCN) – A former North Carolina State swimmer is taking home an Olympic medal.

Katharine Berkoff came away with the bronze in the finals of the 100-meter backstroke event at the Paris Olympics on Tuesday. She swam her way to a time of 57.98 seconds to secure a spot on the podium.

She finished with the third-best time in Monday’s semifinals with a time of 58.27 seconds.

Katharine Berkoff, of the United States, waves as she walks onto the pool deck for her women’s 100-meter backstroke final at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Tuesday, July 30, 2024, in Nanterre, France. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

Taking part in her first Olympic Games, she’s now the first-ever Wolfpack female swimmer to bring home a medal.

Berkoff competed for the Wolfpack from 2019-2024 and became a five-time NCAA champion during her college career.

While in Raleigh, she made ACC history by becoming the first woman to win five straight titles in the same event after coming out on top in the 100-yard backstroke event at the 2024 ACC Tournament.

She’s also the daughter of former Olympic gold medalist David Berkoff.