20250125_QN_5849-Enhanced-NR

Kathryn Ackerman Season 2024-25

PositionIM/BACKSTROKE
YearGraduate Student
HometownGrand Haven, Mich.
Previous SchoolMichigan
BEFORE PURDUE
Four-year letterwinner at the University of Michigan
Four-year NCAA Championships qualifier in the 400 IM
Helped the Wolverines with 800 freestyle relay medals in 2021 (gold) and 2022 (bronze)
All-American and championship finalist in the 400 IM as a freshman, finishing seventh at NCAAs
Four-year scorer at Big Tens scored in all three of her individual events every year
Four career fourth places finishes in A finals at Big Tens -- three in the 400 IM and one in the 500 free
Accounted for 191.5 team points in her career at Big Tens
Three-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree earned her degree in biomedical engineering

HIGH SCHOOL
Lettered for coach Doug Thorne at Grand Haven High School along the Lake Michigan shore
Also swam for Michigan Lakeshore Aquatics
Five-time MHSAA D-I state champion
Set an MHSAA D-I record in the 200-yard IM
12-time All-State selection
Three-time USA Swimming Scholastic All-American
Named 2020 Michigan Female High School Athlete of the Year by the Detroit Athletic Club
2021 U.S. Olympic Trials qualifier in the 100m Backstroke, 200m Backstroke and 200m IM
Chosen to represent the U.S. at the 2019 Mel Zajac Jr. International Swim Meet

PERSONAL
Major: Biomedical Engineering Master's Program (Device Development)
Full name is Kathryn Elaine Ackerman
Born in Grand Haven, Michigan
Parents are John & Amy Ackerman
Family also includes sisters Anna & Grace
Sister Grace also swims at Purdue, both sisters joining the team together in the fall of 2024