History of Klete Keller in Timeline

Klete Derik Keller is a retired American competitive swimmer who participated in the 2000, 2004, and 2008 Summer Olympics. Throughout his Olympic career, he won five medals, including two gold medals in the 400-meter freestyle and the 4x200-meter freestyle relay. Keller retired from swimming in 2008.

March 21, 1982: Birth of Klete Keller

Klete Derik Keller was born on March 21, 1982.

1998: Rookie of the Meet

Klete Keller was named "Rookie of the Meet" at the 1998 Summer Nationals.

1999: National Championships and Bronze Medal

Klete Keller won a bronze medal in the 1500m freestyle at the 1999 U.S. National Swimming Championships.

1999: Gold Medals and National Junior Team

Klete Keller won gold in the 5k open water race at the 1999 Phillips 66 National Championships and the 1999 Pan Pacific Swimming Championships. He was also a member of the 1999 United States National Junior Team.

2000: College Years and All-Star Team

Klete Keller began attending the University of Southern California and was named to the United States swimming "All-Star Team".

2000: High School Graduation

Klete Keller graduated from Arcadia High School in Phoenix, Arizona in 2000.

2000: Olympic Debut and High School Graduation

Klete Keller made his Olympic debut at the 2000 Summer Olympics and graduated from Arcadia High School.

2000: Olympic Bronze and National Title

Klete Keller won a bronze medal at the 2000 Summer Olympics and the summer national title in the 400-meter freestyle.

2001: College Success and All-Star Team

Klete Keller continued his success at USC, winning multiple Pac-10 and NCAA Championships, and was again named to the All-Star Team.

2001: World Aquatics Championships and National Title

Klete Keller won a bronze medal in the 200-meter freestyle and a team bronze in the 4x200-meter freestyle relay at the World Aquatics Championships. He also won the spring national title in the 200-meter freestyle.

2002: All-Star Team Selection

Klete Keller was named to the United States Swimming "All-Star Team" in 2002.

2002: Pan Pacific and Short Course World Championships

Klete Keller won medals at the 2002 Pan Pacific Swimming Championships and the 2002 FINA Short Course World Championships. He also won the summer national title in the 400-meter freestyle and was named to the All-Star Team.

2003: World Aquatics Championships and National Title

Klete Keller won gold in the 800-meter freestyle relay at the 2003 World Aquatics Championships and the spring national title in the 400-meter freestyle.

2004: Keller Experiences Insomnia and Emotional Breakdown

In 2004, before the Summer Olympics, Klete Keller reportedly suffered from insomnia and malaise, leading to an emotional breakdown.

2004: Second Olympic Appearance

Klete Keller competed in his second Olympic Games at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens.

2004: Olympic Medals and All-Star Team

Klete Keller won a gold medal in the 4x200-meter freestyle relay and a bronze medal in the 400-meter freestyle at the 2004 Athens Olympics. He was also named to the All-Star Team.

2005: World Championships, National Titles, and All-Star Team

In 2005, Klete Keller won gold at the World Aquatics Championships, two United States summer national titles, and was named to the All-Star Team.

2005: All-Star Team Selection

Klete Keller was named to the United States Swimming "All-Star Team" in 2005.

2006: All-Star Team Selection

Klete Keller was named to the United States Swimming "All-Star Team" in 2006.

2006: Pan Pacific Championships, National Title, and All-Star Team

Klete Keller won multiple medals at the 2006 Pan Pacific Swimming Championships, the summer national title in the 400-meter freestyle, and was named to the All-Star Team.

2007: Keller Returns to USC and Competes Internationally

In 2007, Klete Keller returned to USC to complete his bachelor's degree in public policy and real estate development after previously studying science, public policy, and construction management at both USC and Eastern Michigan University. He also trained with the Trojan Swim Club under coach Dave Salo. He ranked 18th in the 400-meter freestyle, 49th in the 200-meter freestyle, and 78th in the 100-meter freestyle in the World Rankings. At the World Aquatics Championships, he won gold in the 4 x 200-meter freestyle relay, placed tenth in the 400-meter freestyle, and 18th in the 200-meter freestyle.

2007: Training at Club Wolverine

Klete Keller trained at Club Wolverine under Jon Urbanchek and Bob Bowman until 2007.

2008: Keller's Marriage and Divorce

In 2008, Klete Keller got engaged to and later married Cari Carr. The couple had three children and subsequently divorced, experiencing a custody dispute.

2008: Olympic Gold and Retirement

In 2008, Klete Keller won a gold medal in the 4 x 200-meter freestyle relay at the Summer Olympics. Following the Olympics, he retired from swimming.

2008: Fourth Olympic Appearance

Klete Keller competed in his fourth Olympic Games at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing.

2008: Retirement from Swimming

Klete Keller retired from competitive swimming in 2008.

October 2009: Keller Begins Work at Northwestern Mutual

In October 2009, Klete Keller started working at the Ann Arbor, Michigan office of Northwestern Mutual Investment Services.

November 2010: Keller Leaves Northwestern Mutual

In November 2010, Klete Keller left his position at Northwestern Mutual Investment Services.

June 2011: Keller Joins Multi-Bank Securities

Klete Keller began working for Multi-Bank Securities in Southfield, Michigan, in June 2011.

November 2012: Keller Departs Multi-Bank Securities

Klete Keller's employment at Multi-Bank Securities ended in November 2012.

February 2013: Keller Starts at Cantor Fitzgerald

Klete Keller started working as a debt trader at Cantor Fitzgerald's Memphis, Tennessee office in February 2013.

February 2014: Keller Leaves Cantor Fitzgerald

In February 2014, Klete Keller left his job at Cantor Fitzgerald.

2015: Recognition as Nevada's Most Decorated Olympian

Klete Keller was named the most decorated Olympian born in Nevada by the Reno Gazette-Journal in 2015.

January 2016: Relay Named Among Greatest

The 4x200-meter freestyle relay team that Klete Keller was a part of at the 2004 Athens Olympics was named one of the greatest Olympic relays of all time by Swimming World magazine.

2018: Keller Moves to Colorado and Begins Real Estate Career

In 2018, Klete Keller moved to Colorado Springs, Colorado, and started a career as a real estate broker with Hoff & Leigh.

2018: Keller Reflects on Post-Swimming Career Struggles

In 2018, Klete Keller reflected on his struggles transitioning to a career outside of swimming after retiring in 2008. He expressed dissatisfaction with his various sales and finance jobs and acknowledged the impact on his personal life. He admitted to being "entitled" and a "bad employee" during this time.

January 12, 2021: Hoff & Leigh Terminates Keller's Employment

On January 12, 2021, Hoff & Leigh released a statement confirming Klete Keller's resignation and stating they did not condone his actions related to the Capitol attack.

January 13, 2021: Keller Charged for Capitol Attack Involvement

On January 13, 2021, the FBI charged Klete Keller with obstructing law enforcement, unlawfully entering Capitol grounds, and disorderly conduct on Capitol grounds for his involvement in the January 6 Capitol attack. He surrendered the next day, and his home was searched. He was released on bond but restricted from traveling to Washington D.C., except for court appearances and legal consultations. He also needed permission to visit his children in North Carolina.

January 2021: Participation in Capitol Attack

Klete Keller participated in the January 6, 2021 United States Capitol attack.

March 9, 2021: Keller Pleads Not Guilty

On March 9, 2021, Klete Keller pleaded not guilty to seven charges related to the Capitol attack, including civil disorder and witness tampering.

May 2021: Keller Returns to Hoff & Leigh

According to a January 2022 report, Klete Keller returned to work at Hoff & Leigh in May 2021.

September 29, 2021: Keller Pleads Guilty to Obstructing Congress

On September 29, 2021, Klete Keller pleaded guilty to a felony count of obstructing an official proceeding before Congress as part of a plea bargain. He admitted to spending an hour inside the Capitol, shouting obscenities, capturing video and photos, resisting law enforcement, and destroying evidence. He agreed to cooperate with the ongoing investigation, facing a maximum sentence of 20 years.

2021: Keller's Involvement in Capitol Attack

In 2021, Klete Keller was identified as a participant in the United States Capitol attack. He was seen inside the Capitol rotunda in a video posted by Townhall. His presence was reported by several individuals who recognized him from his height, U.S. Olympic team jacket, and unobstructed face in the video. Following the identification, he deleted his social media accounts, which reportedly contained pro-Trump content.

January 2022: Report of Keller's Return to Hoff & Leigh

A report published in January 2022 indicated that Klete Keller had returned to work at Hoff & Leigh in May 2021.

December 2022: Keller Awaiting Sentencing

In December 2022, Klete Keller was free on bond awaiting sentencing for his involvement in the January 6th Capitol riot.

June 15, 2023: Keller Requests Sentencing Postponement

On June 15, 2023, Klete Keller requested a postponement of his sentencing hearing to further cooperate with the investigation into the Capitol attack.

July 7, 2023: Keller's Initial Sentencing Date

Klete Keller's initial sentencing was scheduled for July 7, 2023. He faced 21 to 27 months in prison.

December 1, 2023: Keller's Postponed Sentencing Date

Klete Keller's sentencing was postponed to December 1, 2023.

December 4, 2023: Keller Sentenced

On December 4, 2023, Klete Keller was sentenced to six months of home detention and three years of probation for his role in the January 6th Capitol riot.