West Davidson swimmer Baird commits to Ohio State

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By Mike Duprez
Lexington Dispatch

West Davidson swimmer Kelly Ann Baird entered her senior year already a five-time state champion.

With credentials like that, as well as being on the USA Junior National team for the second year in a row, her options were wide open.

And now she has chosen. Baird has committed to Ohio State, choosing the Buckeyes over North Carolina, Northwestern, Florida and LSU.

"I love it," Baird said. "I can't wait to go. I'm so excited."

Baird made her official visit to Ohio State last month, having already gone to UNC and Northwestern.

Once she got to Ohio State, Baird saw no need for any more official visits.

"I loved it up there," Baird said. "I liked the girls. They're so amazing. I liked everything about it."

Baird specializes in long distance events like the 500 yards, an event in which she is the 1-A/2-A state record holder. She will also swim the individual medley and backstroke for the Buckeyes. Baird plans to major in biology and language.

With her college choice out of the way, Baird can concentrate on her upcoming senior season for the Green Dragons.

"Oh my gosh, I am already so relaxed I can't believe it," Baird said. "I feel so good to have chosen them and everything. It's good to have all that stress gone."

Baird started swimming 13 years ago and couldn't foresee things going this far in the pool.

"I had no idea," she said. "I do this for the fun of it. I love the way everything is happening, especially at such a nice school."

Baird broke onto the high school state championship scene as a freshman, winning the 500 free, anchoring West's winning 200 medley relay team and finishing second in the 200 free.

As a sophomore, Baird swept the 200 free and 500 free, setting the 1-A/2-A state record in the latter.

Last year, Baird won the 200 free and took the 500 free by 13 seconds, shaving three seconds off her own 1-A/2-A record.

Baird has one more season to add to her gold medal collection and then it's off to college, where her goals are even loftier.

"Winning an NCAA championship and going to the Olympics," Baird said. "That's what I want to do."