Rachael Kelch Verbal Gives Western Kentucky a Conference USA Medal Threat in 200 Back

Rachael Kelch, whose strongest results are in the back, fly and individual medley, from the Peoria Area Water Wizards has committed to Western Kentucky University.

The nearly 18-year-old Kelch, who attends Peoria Notre Dame High School in Illinois, heads into her senior year with a lengthy list of short and long course personal bests that were established in the past year. This summer she set six personal bests in the following events:  100-meter free, 100-meter back, 200-meter back, 200-meter fly, 200-meter individual medley and 400-meter individual medley.

Olympic cuts are in sight for the 5’5” Kelch, which is added motivation for her and her coach, Derek Amerman, in her senior year.

Last year, at the Illinois High School State Championships meet, Kelsh was 6th in the 100 fly and 5th in the 200-yard individual medley with a time that set a new school record for the Peoria-Notre Dame Irish.

Once in Bowling Green, the versatile Kelch will help the Hilltoppers in many areas, specifically the fly, the back, the individual medley and medley relays. She will be a three-event conference scorer as a freshman and realistically should contend for a Conference USA medal in the 200 back, at least, as a freshman.

Kelch’s Top Times

Event Time Date
100-yard Back 56.76 Mar 06, 2014
100-meter Back 1:05.23 Jul 31, 2014
100-yard Fly 56.67 Nov. 16, 2013
100-meter Fly 1:04.52 Aug 01, 2013
200-yard Back 1:59.35 Mar 13, 2014
200-meter Back 2:18.47 July 31, 2014
200-yard Fly 2:03.22 Mar 06, 2014
200-meter Fly 2:20.95 Jul 17, 2014
200-yard IM 2:03.94 Mar 13, 2014
200-meter IM 2:23.60 Jul 17, 2014
400-yard IM 4:20.90 Mar 13, 2014
400-meter IM 5:01.44 Jul 31, 2014

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Suzie Babovac
9 years ago

WKU is lucky to have you. Looking forward to seeing what the future holds for our Rachael.

Nancy Kamin
9 years ago

Congrats Rachael! WKU landed a great swimmer and young lady! The Kamin family is so proud!

Derek Amerman
9 years ago

Incredibly proud to be your coach. Congrats and look forward to 4 years of you as a Hilltopper!

Scott Nauman
9 years ago

Congrats Rachael!!! Watch out Conference USA

Sydney King
9 years ago

Congrats Rachel! Go tops!!

Sydney King
9 years ago

Congrats Rachel!! Go to

Sydney King
Reply to  Sydney King
9 years ago

Congrats Rachael!! Go tops!