University of Virginia junior Gretchen Walsh added to her decorated resume by breaking another NCAA, U.S. Open and American Record last weekend, doing so in the women’s 100 butterfly (SCY).
Racing in a one-on-one, head-to-head showdown with teammate Claire Curzan, Walsh fired off a time of 47.35 at the Tennessee Invite, breaking her previous all-time record of 47.42 set at the 2024 NCAA Championships.
RACE VIDEO
Courtesy: UVA Swimming on YouTube
Relative to her swim at the end of last season, Walsh had more back-half speed, closing more than two-tenths quicker in 25.45.
Split Comparison
| Walsh, 2024 NCAAs | Walsh, 2024 Tennessee Invite |
| 21.75 | 21.90 |
| 47.42 (25.67) | 47.35 (25.45) |
The 21-year-old was already the only swimmer in history under the 48-second barrier, and in addition to now having done so twice, she also holds ownership of the six-fastest swims in history.
The second-fastest swimmer ever, Walsh’s former Virginia teammate Kate Douglass, is more than a full second back in 48.46.
All-Time Top 100 Fly Performances All-Time
- Gretchen Walsh (UVA), 47.35 – 2024 Tennessee Invite
- Gretchen Walsh (UVA), 47.42 – 2024 NCAAs
- Gretchen Walsh (UVA), 48.24 – 2024 ACCs
- Gretchen Walsh (UVA),/ Gretchen Walsh (UVA), 48.26 – 2024 NCAAs / 2024 Tennessee Invite
- –
- Gretchen Walsh (UVA), 48.43 – 2024 UNC Dual Meet
- Kate Douglass (UVA), 48.46 – 2023 NCAAs
- Maggie MacNeil (LSU), 48.51 – 2023 NCAAs
- Kate Douglass (UVA), 48.84 – 2023 ACCs
- Maggie MacNeil (Michigan), 48.89 – 2021 NCAAs
Walsh re-lowering her all-time record in the 100 fly in short course yards is no surprise after what she did in the summer, breaking the world record in the women’s 100 fly in long course at the U.S. Olympic Trials (55.18) before winning silver in the event at the Paris Olympics.
At the Tennessee Invite, Walsh also recorded the third-fastest time ever in the women’s 50 free (20.54), while in the 200 back, Curzan set a new NCAA, U.S. Open and American Record of 1:46.87, with Walsh touching 2nd in 1:48.18.
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