Photo by Matthew Harris
Allison Baver
Olympic Speed Skater
Nicknames: It varies from “Baver” to “AB” to my dad calling me “Al” and hmm…in high school a few friends called me “Big Booty” or “Booty Baver” or “Big Booty Baver” for my speed skating glutes.
Age: 35
Berks hometown: Sinking Spring
Graduate of: Wilson High School Class of 1998
You may know me for: Winning a bronze medal in the 2010 Olympics for short track speed skating!
Other accolades/honors
Fast Facts, recently became the VP of the United States Olympian’s and Paralympian's Association; also a former Wilhelmina NYC model; 2010, 2006 and 2002 Olympian, current 1500M American record holder and former 1000M & 3000M relay American record holder, former National Champion & World Cup medalist, 2015 All Sports United Humanitarian Award Winner, 2010 Penn State Homecoming Grand Marshal, 2011 Penn State Alumni Achievement Award winner
Volunteer work
I love promoting the benefits of incorporating an active lifestyle to our youth through physical education and after school programs developed by my “Off the Ice Foundation” (offtheice.org).
Some of Allison’s favorites…
Cheat meal: Right now it’s Trader Joe’s dark chocolate and kettle corn!
Vacation spot: New York, NY, or Los Angeles, CA, are my go-to spots!
Way to spend my free time: All of my free time is spent working on developing my fashion & spokesperson brand, working out and spending time with Prince, my Japanese Pomeranian who is also from PA.
Way to work out: How fun of you to ask! I prefer leg days and interval training is my favorite way to work out.
Song that gets me moving: I use an app called Rock My Run that you can use to adjust the beat of the music with your workout! I prefer a mix of dance, modern and remixes.
My favorite way to spend a day in Berks is: Hanging out with my family and going to my favorite local spots. I’ll always stop by the local farmer’s market and enjoy buying a ton of little treats and a healthy snack.
Future plans
I’m excited to share that I am now a fashion designer and continue to be a spokesperson, working in television and inspirational speaking. I designed an active fashion collection that includes a luxury workout bag for the working woman, along with beautiful activewear to empower women to feel fabulous. I hope all of my friends in Berks County go to my website and stay connected with me at AllisonBaver.com!
Photo by Swimspire/Peter Galan
Kristina Ann Kowal
Olympic Swimmer
Nickname: Kristy
Age: 38
Berks hometown: Wyomissing
Graduate of: Wilson High School Class of 1996
You may know me because: In 2000 I won a silver medal in the 200 breaststroke in the Sydney Olympic Games. You may have also seen me on a Masano commercial or two.
Other accolades/honors
I was the first American woman to win the World Championship title in the 100-meter breaststroke and the first American woman to break the 1-minute barrier in the 100-yard breaststroke. I've held 8 American records and 1 world record.
I was the 2000 NCAA Woman of the Year and had my award presented to me by Robin Roberts, and I was 2000 Today's Top VIII Award Recipient along with Drew Brees. I have been inducted into the University of Georgia's Circle of Honor, the Georgia Aquatic Hall of Fame, and the Pennsylvania Aquatic Hall of Fame; I was the only female to be inducted into the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame in the Class of 2015, and I was also inducted into the National Polish American Sports Hall of Fame. I also have a master’s degree in education.
Volunteer Work
I'm very involved with an organization called Swim Across America, which raises money to fund clinical trials that lead to treatments and cures for cancer. I travel around the country visiting children in hospitals and participate in open water swims in the communities that host the swims. I literally swim across America; I've participated in swims (and some of them multiple times) in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Nantasket Beach, Rhode Island, San Francisco, Tampa and Long Island. I also participate in events for Team Carly Rocks, which raises money to stop diabetes.
Some of Kristy’s favorites…
Cheat meal: a Chipotle burrito
Vacation spot: I love traveling, so it's hard for me to pick just one! If I have to pick one it would be Punta De Mita, Mexico. It was a beautiful combination of beaches, mountains and the rainforest.
Way to spend my free time: I love spending time with my nephew, Luke, and I also love traveling around the country to visit friends that I have made over the course of my life. Summertime is my favorite; I can travel from one city to another and plan trips at the last minute.
Way to work out: I enjoy going to classes at Just Breathe Yoga in Sinking Spring. My favorites are aerial yoga and barre classes. I've spent the majority of my life in the water; that's my comfort zone. Working out on land, and even in the air, is so much fun and such a challenge for me. It's also very humbling too. But I'm pretty good at laughing at myself, which is necessary while being 6'2” and trying to embrace my inner circus performer.
Song that gets me moving: Livin’ on a Prayer, Bon Jovi
My favorite way to spend a day in Berks is: I enjoy being outdoors; I like going to Gring’s Mill and Blue Marsh and hiking around, especially in the fall when all of the leaves are changing. I'm more of a beach/summer person, but that time of year reminds me of how beautiful Pennsylvania really is.
Future plans
I currently am a third grade teacher at Whitfield Elementary School in the Wilson School District. This is my twelfth year teaching! I am a volunteer coach with the Wilson High School swim team. I am also a mentor to athletes through an amazing program called Rise Elite, which I am very passionate about! On weekends, I travel around the country visiting swim teams, inspiring future Olympians through Breakout! Swim Clinics.
Photo by Robin Subar Photography
Katie (Kauffman) Beach
Olympic Field Hockey Team Member
Nicknames: KK, K2, Beach
Age: 42
Berks hometown: West Lawn
Graduate of: Wilson High School Class of 1992
You may know me for: Competing in the 1996 Olympic Games for the United States of America in the sport of field hockey. I represented Team USA for more than 11 years, earning 180 international caps.
Other accolades/honors
USA Field Hockey Hall of Fame inductee, World Cup x 2, Pan American Games silver medalist
Volunteer work
At my daughter’s elementary school, with Girls on the Run, and at field hockey clinics
Some of Katie’s favorites…
Cheat meal: Chicago deep dish pizza and red wine
Vacation spot: Currently living on a boat with my husband, Keith Beach, and three daughters, Madison, Ella and Bridget, in the British Virgin Islands. I enjoy island hopping, scuba diving, snorkeling and spending time on the water.
Way to spend my free time: traveling, running, competing in Ironman Triathlons and enjoying time with my family
Way to work out: running, cycling, skiing and swimming
Song that gets me moving: At this moment, Bob Marley. It depends on my mood and location.
My favorite way to spend a day in Berks is: visiting my dad, grandmother, three sisters and their families
Future plans
I currently run a field hockey club in Chicago, IL, where I live with my family. I run year-round field hockey programs for kids aged 5 to adults. My passion for, and experience with, field hockey has provided an opportunity to do it for a living. I'm lucky to be able have my three daughters with me at the fields every day and travel the world with my travel team athletes.
Compiled by Nikki M. Murry
