Friday Spotlight Series: Katy Chu, Caltech Cross Country/Swim & Dive/Track & Field
Friday Spotlight Series: Katy Chu, Caltech Cross Country/Swim & Dive/Track & Field
Name: Katy Chu
Institution: Caltech
Year: Junior
Hometown: Los Gatos, Calif.
High School: Saint Franci
Major: Computer Science
Junior Katy Chu demonstrated her multi-sport prowess yet again this year as she helped lead the Caltech cross country, swim & dive and track & field teams to big results.
Most recently, the three-sport athlete placed 11th at the SCIAC Track & Field Championships in the 3000-meter steeplechase after crossing the line in 12:48.81. Her personal-best time of 12:28.28 achieved earlier in the season earned her second place at the CMS-La Verne-Whittier multi-dual meet and put her fifth all-time in the program history books for the event.
The Los Gatos native rolled into track action this spring following a successful season with the swim & dive team, where she primarily competed in the 1-meter and 3-meter dive. Chu competed in both events at the SCIAC Championships, where her best finish came in the 3-meter competition (287.00; 13th).
The Saint Francis alum also competed in swim events throughout the season, including the 400-yard freestyle relay and the 200-yard medley relay.
Prior to hitting the track and the pool, Chu competed for the Beavers in cross country this past fall, where she nabbed a program top-15 time in the 6K after running a 23:29.7 at the 2022 Cougar Challenge. She was one of Caltech's top-seven runners at the 2022 SCIAC Championships where she ran a 25:00.4, displacing multiple athletes from other teams to help the Beavers to an impressive third-place finish.
Chu holds the cross country program's all-time 10th-fastest time in the 5K (19:19.7) and previously held the 10th-fastest time on the track (19:22.33).
Outside of the track, pool and trail, Chu is responsible for two publications in the Young Scientists Journal and has presented research at the prestigious Young Scientists Journal Conference. She has also completed a pair of summer undergraduate research fellowships -- one in the Bronner Lab at Caltech and another with Professor Niema Moshiri at UC San Diego.
Kelli Blake, head coach of the Beavers' cross country and track & field teams, appreciates what Chu brings to Caltech Athletics.
"Katy has a contagious energy and is a huge goofball," Blake said.. "She's fearless about wanting to try new things."
Chu's favorite part about Caltech Athletics is the team culture.
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