Kara Kohler

In was just three years ago that Kohler had dreams of becoming a college swimmer. Now, the native of Clayton, Calif., is going for rowing gold. Kohler swam during high school and was hoping to do so at the University of California, but a suggestion from a family friend to row changed her goals. She earned Pac-10 newcomer of the year honors in 2010 and also was named a second-team All-American that year when she helped the Golden Bears win the varsity eight at the conference championships and finish fourth at the NCAA championship. Kohler also won gold in the eight at the 2010 U-23 world championships. A first-team All-American in 2011, she finished first in the four at the 2011 world championships, but that event will not take place in London, so she will compete in the quadruple sculls with Adrienne Martelli, Megan Kalmoe and Natalie Dell, who finished second at last year’s world championship. Kohler will replace Stesha Carle as the fourth member of that team.