Missoula’s Berkoff Podiums At The Olympics!

In what was deemed one of the most anticipated events in the 2024 Olympics by the NBC broadcast team, Missoula native Katharine Berkoff gave it her all en route to a bronze medal in the Women's 100m Backstroke.

It was a near deadlock at the turn between Berkoff, fellow American Regan Smith, Kylie Masse and eventual winner Kaylee McKeown. Then with about 25m to go, it looked like Berkoff had as good a chance as any to sneak in a gold before Australian Kaylee McKeown torpedoed to the lead and a gold medal.

Final

1. Kaylee McKeown (AUS) [OR 57.33]
2. Regan Smith (USA) [57.66]
3. Katharine Berkoff (USA) [57.98]
4. Kylie Masse (CAN) [58.29]

It was electric that gave me goosebumps.

What an Olympics it was for Missoula swimmer Katharine Berkoff. On Monday, Berkoff came within a second of a World Record in the prelims before qualifying for Tuesday afternoon's 100m Backstroke final.

In her first-ever Olympic appearance, Berkoff returns to Missoula with the bronze. Not too shabby, Katharine. You did Missoula proud!

The race can be found below.

Other Montana Olympians

Ivan Roe (Manhattan, Montana) has one event to go. You'll have to wake up bright and early, or stay up like a night owl, to watch Roe compete in the Men's 50m Rifle Three Positions competition. It's a 1 am start time on Wednesday, July 31.

Brady Ellison (Billings, Montana) has an early wake-up call on Thursday morning too. After finishing 7th in the Men's Individual Archery round with a score of 677, Ellison competes at 2:48 am on Thursday, August 1 against Abdullah Yildirmis from Turkey.