Northwestern’s Oliver Kos Enhancing Family’s Impressive Efforts in Pool
Swimming has always been a familial sport, with younger siblings frequently following older brothers and sisters into the pool. From the decks of summer-league clubs to scholastic competition to the Olympic stage, a shared last name can usually be found on the heat sheet.
As the Big Ten Championships unfolded last week, the surname Kos was found representing Northwestern University. One week after older brother Hubert Kos starred for the University of Texas at the SEC Championships, Oliver Kos turned in several high-quality performances for the Wildcats. Scoring in three individual events and as a member of four relays, the Hungarian helped Northwestern to a fourth-place finish in the team standings.
The elder Kos has been one of the world’s premier swimmers for several years. Dominant for the Longhorns in collegiate competition, the senior is the reigning Olympic and world champion in the 200 backstroke, and one of the sport’s top performers in several other events. His younger brother is also making an impact on the NCAA scene, evidenced by his Big Ten Conference exploits.
Individually, Oliver Kos put together a career-best time in the 200 freestyle at Big Tens, going 1:33.13 for 12th place. That mark, produced in the consolation final, was a 1.05-second drop from what Kos went in the prelims. Additionally, he was 13th in the 100 backstroke (45.86) and he clocked 1:40.33 in the 200 backstroke, good for a fourth-place showing. Kos was slightly quicker in prelims, where he touched in 1:40.13.
Responsible for 55 points on an individual level, Kos also played a key role for Northwestern’s relays. He saw double duty for the Wildcats on Night One of the conference champs, as he anchored the 200 medley relay to a third-place finish and handled the second leg on the seventh-place 800 freestyle relay. On the fourth-place 200 free relay, Kos split 18.96 on the third leg and he anchored the fourth-place 400 freestyle relay in 41.90.
When the NCAA Championships are held in Atlanta later this month, the Kos name will be found multiple times as spectators sift through their programs. While Hubert will chase additional NCAA titles as Texas seeks a repeat of its team championship, look for Oliver to continue his impressive development under coach Rachel Stratton-Mills for Northwestern.