Kelly Crowley
Sport: Swimming & Cycling
Residence: Redwood City, CA
Kelly Crowley was born with a “funny right arm” and a love of sports. She is a Paralympic gold medalist in swimming (2004), a world-champion cyclist (Para-cycling Time Trial, 2007), and now, a professional cyclist, racing for Primal/Map My Ride Professional Women's Team.
She began her swimming career in the 2nd grade, but gave up swimming (and all other sports) in college and grad school. She returned to the water in 2001 after finding out about the Paralympic Games. Kelly qualified for the US National Paralympic swimming team in 2002. Over the course of the next two years she set numerous American records, held two World records (in the 200 Freestyle and the 400IM), and qualified to compete in the 2004 Athens Summer Paralympic Games.
In Athens, Kelly finished 4th in the 50 and 100 Freestyle, 5th in the 100 Butterfly, 6th in the 200 IM, and 7th in the 400 Free. Both of her relays (4 x 100 Free and 4 x 100 Medley) won the gold medal.
Kelly discovered the sport of cycling in 2006, and promptly raced to become the 2007 Paralympic Road Race National Champion, and then the World Champion in the Para-cycling Time Trial. She has mostly recovered from the injuries she sustained in a 2008 crash, and has resumed training as a member of the US National Paralympic Cycling Team, winning the bronze medal in the 2010 World Championship Road Race.
Kelly has a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science, a Master’s degree in Public Administration, and currently works as a USA Swimming age-group coach. Kelly is also a Level 2 USA Cycling coach. She is married to a cyclist/lawyer/chef, owns a cat with a ridiculous amount of personality, and loves to swim, cycle, hike, garden, and eat her husband’s culinary creations. She has been an Athlete Representative with The Hartford since 2003.
2011 Season Highlights
- Para-cycling World Championships: Road Race, 4th; Time Trial, 4th
- Aspen Women’s Professional Stage Race: Time Trial, 5th; Circuit Race, 6th; Overall, 6th
- Mt. Hood Stage Race: Stage 1 Road Race, 9th
- Established new professional women’s record for Cheyenne Canon Hill Climb Time Trial, Colorado Springs, CO (17:11, formerly held by Joanne Kiesanowski at 18:10)
- Current U.S. National Champion, Para-cycling Time Trial and Road Race
- Cascade Classic Stage Race: Stage 5 Awbrey Butte Circuit Race, 21st; Overall: 29th
- USA Cycling Elite Women’s National Championship Road Race, 26th
Career Highlights
- 2010: 3rd Place, Road Race (C5) 4th place, Time Trial (C5) Para-cycling World Championships, Baie-Comeau, Canada
- 2010: Bronze Medal, road race- Para-cycling World Championships, Baie-Comeau, Canada
- 2007: Para-cycling time trial World Champion
- 2007: Bronze Medal, road race- Para-cycling World Championships
- 2004: Two Gold Medals, 4x100m freestyle and medley relays- Paralympic Games, Athens, Greece
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