Kelley Becherer

Kelley Becherer (born July 3, 1990) is an American Paralympic swimmer. At the 2008 Summer Paralympics she won a gold medal and two bronze medals. She also competed at the 2004 Summer Paralympics and won two gold medals for the United States at the 2012 Summer Paralympics.

Early life and education Becherer was born with bilateral coloboma and microphthalmia She began swimming at age six or seven.

She attended Northeastern University from 2009 to 2015 in their physical therapy program.

Career

Becherer made her Paralympic debut at age 14 at the 2004 Summer Paralympics.

At the 2012 Paralympic Nationals, Becherer won the 100m and 50m freestyle and 50m backstroke and set a world record in the 50m backstroke. At the 2012 Summer Paralympics, she won gold in women’s S13 50 freestyle, setting an American Paralympic record with a time of 27.46. She also won gold in the 100m freestyle S13,

Becherer announced her retirement from competitive swimming in 2013, citing a desire to focus on school. She was inducted into the Wisconsin Swimming Hall of Fame in 2018.

Personal life After graduating from Northeastern, Becherer moved to San Diego.