Gretchen Walsh

Gretchen Claire Walsh (born January 29, 2003) is an American competitive swimmer, swimsuit model, and the world record holder in the 100 meter butterfly, 4×100 medley relay, mixed gender 4×100 medley relay, 50 meter butterfly (short course), 100 meter butterfly (short course), and 100 meter IM (short course). She won the silver medal in the 100 meter butterfly at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, where she also set the Olympic record in the 100 meter butterfly in the semifinals with a time of 55.38. She additionally holds one world junior record in the mixed gender 4×100 medley relay event, as well as American records in the 50 meter butterfly, 4×100 meter freestyle relay, 4×100 meter medley relay, 50 meter freestyle (short course), 50 meter backstroke (short course), 50 yard freestyle, 100 yard freestyle, 100 yard butterfly, 100 yard backstroke, 4×50 yard freestyle relay, 4×50 yard medley relay, 4×100 yard freestyle relay, and 4×100 yard medley relay.

Walsh competed collegiately for the University of Virginia. In 2022, she became the fastest female freshman to swim the 50 yard freestyle in the NCAA, with a time of 20.95 seconds, and earned the NCAA title in the 100 yard freestyle, with a time of 46.05 seconds, and the national title in the 100 meter butterfly. In 2023, she won the women's NCAA Division I title in the 100 yard backstroke, with an American record time of 48.26 seconds, and the 100 yard freestyle, with a 45.61. In 2024, she won NCAA titles in the 50 yard freestyle, 100 yard freestyle, and 100 yard butterfly, setting NCAA records in all three events with times of 20.37 seconds, 44.83 seconds, and 47.42 seconds, respectively. She repeated these championships in 2025 with times of 20.49 seconds, 44.71 seconds and 46.97 seconds.

Early life and education

Walsh was born January 29, 2003, to mother Glynis Walsh and father Robert Walsh."Gretchen Walsh: Results"
FINA. Retrieved November 24, 2021.Rieder, David (June 13, 2020)
"Alex and Gretchen Walsh Chasing the Ultimate Dream… Together"
''Swimming World''. Retrieved November 24, 2021. She has an older sister, Alex, who is also a competitive swimmer. She attended Harpeth Hall School in Nashville, Tennessee, where she competed scholastically for the high school team, setting national high school records in the 50 yard freestyle and the 100 yard freestyle and winning state championships titles in multiple events.Harris, Chris (June 2, 2021)
"Two Tennessee sisters chase their Tokyo Olympic dreams together"
''WBIR-TV''. Retrieved November 24, 2021.

In the autumn of 2021, Walsh started attending the University of Virginia, where she competes collegiately as part of the Virginia Cavaliers swimming and diving team.

Career

2015–2017: Early career & age-group success

In 2015, Walsh caught the attention of ''SwimSwam'' after achieving her first spot at a national competition for juniors when she was 12 years old.Lepesant, Anne (August 6, 2015)
"AgonSwim Weekly Wonders Of Age Group Swimming – 8/5/2015"
''SwimSwam''. Retrieved November 24, 2021. She became the youngest swimmer to qualify for the 2016 US Olympic Trials in 2016.Bliss, Jessica (June 24, 2016)
"Nashville swimmer youngest Olympic Trials qualifier"
''The Tennessean''. Retrieved November 24, 2021.Butrico, Anna (June 27, 2016)
"Nashville 13-Year Old To Compete As Youngest Swimmer In Olympic Trials"
''WPLN-FM''. Retrieved November 24, 2021. In addition to being the youngest qualifier, at just 13 years of age, she was also the youngest swimmer to compete at the Olympic Trials, where she was 13 years, 4 months, and 13 days old at the time of competition.Brien, Taylor (September 6, 2016)
"Swimming World Presents Up & Comers: Gretchen Walsh"
''Swimming World''. Retrieved November 24, 2021. In the one event she qualified to compete in, the 50 meter freestyle, Walsh finished with a time of 26.55 seconds and placed 125th overall."U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Swimming: Women's 50m Freestyle Heats Results Summary"
''Omega Timing''. July 2, 2016. Retrieved November 24, 2021.

In December 2017, Walsh broke her own National Age Group record in the 50 yard freestyle for the girls 13–14 age group with a time of 22.00 seconds in the final of the event at the Speedo Junior Nationals East Championships in Knoxville.Ross, Andy (December 7, 2017)
"Gretchen Walsh's NAG Record, Drew Kibler's Double Highlight Thursday Night of Juniors East"
''Swimming World''. Retrieved November 24, 2021. Four months later, in March 2018 and when she was 15 years old, Walsh became the youngest female American swimmer to swim the 50 yard freestyle race in less than 22.00 seconds with a time of 21.85 seconds that also broke the former National Age Group records in the event for the girls 15–16 age group set by both Simone Manuel and Kate Douglass at 22.04 on different dates.Keith, Braden (March 3, 2018)
"Gretchen Walsh Becomes Youngest Female Sub-22 In 50Y Free"
''SwimSwam''. Retrieved November 24, 2021.

2018-2020: International breakout

In 2018, Walsh qualified for the 2018 Junior Pan Pacific Swimming Championships in Suva, Fiji in four individual events, and was selected to swim on four relays as a result. This marked her first time representing the United States internationally.

2018 Junior Pan Pacific Championships

In Fiji, Walsh won the gold medal and broke the Championships record in the 100 meter freestyle on the first night of competition with a time of 54.47 seconds, which lowered the previous Championships record of 54.60 seconds set by Simone Manuel in 2012 by over one tenth of a second.D'Addona, Dan (August 23, 2018)
"Gretchen Walsh beats Junior Pan Pacs Record in 100 Free"
''Swimming World''. Retrieved November 24, 2021. In addition to this first gold medal, Walsh won gold medals in the 4×100 meter medley relay, 4×100 meter mixed medley relay, 4×100 meter freestyle relay, and the 4×200 meter freestyle relay, a silver medal in the 50 meter freestyle, and placed 12th in the 200 meter freestyle and 16th in the 100 meter butterfly."Gretchen Walsh – Bio"
''SwimSwam''. Retrieved November 24, 2021.

2019

Competing as part of the Nashville Aquatic Club at the 2019 Speedo Southern Premier Meet in Knoxville, Walsh broke the girls 15–16 age group National Age Group record of 47.73 seconds in the 100 yard freestyle set in 2013 by Simone Manuel with a time of 47.49 seconds.Keith, Braden (March 3, 2019)
"Gretchen Walsh Breaks Simone Manuel's National Age Group Record"
''SwimSwam''. Retrieved November 24, 2021. In May 2019 ''SwimSwam'' ranked Walsh as the number one NCAA recruit from all swimmers across the United States in the high school graduating class of 2021.Anderson, Jared (May 6, 2019)
"Way Too Early NCAA Recruit Ranks: Girls High School Class of 2021"
''SwimSwam''. Retrieved November 24, 2021.

2019 World Junior Championships

Ahead of the start of competition at the 2019 World Junior Championships held at Danube Arena in Budapest, Hungary in August, Walsh was named as one of the five captains for the United States contingent of swimmers at the Championships by USA Swimming.Keith, Braden (August 18, 2019)
"USA Team For 2019 World Junior Swimming Championships Elects 5 Captains"
''SwimSwam''. Retrieved November 24, 2021. On the second day of competition, August 21, Walsh won her first medal, a gold medal in the 4×100 meter mixed medley relay, swimming the freestyle leg of the relay in 53.60 seconds and helping the relay set new world junior and Championships records in the event with a time of 3:44.84.FINA (August 21, 2019)
"7th FINA World Junior Swimming Championships Budapest (HUN): Mixed 4 x 100m Medley Relay Final Results"
''Omega Timing''. Retrieved November 24, 2021. The next day she won her first individual medal of the competition, a gold medal in the 100 meter freestyle with a time of 53.74 seconds.FINA (August 22, 2019)
"7th FINA World Junior Swimming Championships Budapest (HUN): Women's 100m Freestyle Final Results"
''Omega Timing''. Retrieved November 24, 2021. She won her third gold medal later the same day, this time swimming the fourth leg of the 4×100 meter mixed freestyle relay in a time of 53.83 seconds to contribute to the relay's winning time of 3:25.92, which was also a new world junior record and Championships record for the event.FINA (August 22, 2019)
"7th FINA World Junior Swimming Championships Budapest (HUN): Mixed 4x100m Freestyle Final Results"
''Omega Timing''. Retrieved November 24, 2021.Ross, Andy (August 22, 2019)
"Gretchen Walsh Anchors United States' Mixed 4×100 Free Relay World Junior Record in Budapest"
''Swimming World''. Retrieved November 24, 2021. Two days later, on August 24, Walsh won a gold medal in the 4×100 meter freestyle relay, splitting a time of 54.13 seconds for the lead-off leg of the relay to help the relay achieve the winning mark of 3:37.61.FINA (August 24, 2019)
"7th FINA World Junior Swimming Championships Budapest (HUN): Women's 4 x 100m Freestyle Relay Final Results"
''Omega Timing''. Retrieved November 24, 2021. On August 25, the final day of competition, Walsh brought her total medal count to six gold medals by winning a gold medal in the 50 meter freestyle in a time of 24.71 seconds as well as winning a gold medal in the 4×100 meter medley relay with a finals relay time of 3:59.13.FINA (August 25, 2019)
"7th FINA World Junior Swimming Championships Budapest (HUN): Women's 50m Freestyle Final Results"
''Omega Timing''. Retrieved November 24, 2021.FINA (August 25, 2019)
"7th FINA World Junior Swimming Championships Budapest (HUN): Women's 4 x 100m Medley Relay Final Results"
''Omega Timing''. Retrieved November 24, 2021.

2020

In January, Walsh announced her verbal commitment to compete collegiately for the University of Virginia Cavaliers starting in the autumn of 2021.Brandes, Chandler (January 4, 2020)
"Gretchen Walsh Joins Sister Alex With Huge Verbal Commitment to Virginia"
''Swimming World''. Retrieved November 24, 2021.Lepesant, Anne (January 4, 2020)
"#1 In Class Of 2021, Nashville's Gretchen Walsh Makes Verbal Commitment To…"
''SwimSwam''. Retrieved November 24, 2021. On February 7, Walsh set a new overall National High School record in the 50 yard freestyle in 21.59 seconds, which broke the former record of 21.64 seconds set in 2015 by Abbey Weitzeil.Brandes, Chandler (February 8, 2020)
"Gretchen Walsh Drops 21.59 50 Free for New National High School Record"
''Swimming World''. Retrieved November 24, 2021.Neidigh, Lauren (February 8, 2020)
"G. Walsh Breaks Weitzeil's National High School Record With 21.5 50 Free"
''SwimSwam''. Retrieved November 24, 2021. The next day, Walsh became the fastest female swimmer in American high school swimming history in the 100 yard freestyle with a time of 46.98 seconds, breaking the former overall National High School record in the event set in 2015 by Abbey Weitzeil at 47.09 seconds.Brandes, Chandler (February 8, 2020)
"Gretchen Walsh Blasts 46.98 100 Free for New National High School Record"
''Swimming World''. Retrieved November 24, 2021.Neidigh, Lauren (February 8, 2020)
"Gretchen Walsh Takes Down Weitzeil's National HS Record With 46.9 100 Free"
''SwimSwam''. Retrieved November 24, 2021. Later that year, in November at the 2020 U.S. Open Swimming Championships, she won the gold medal in the 50 meter freestyle with a time of 24.65 seconds and the silver medal in the 100 meter freestyle with a 54.37.Hy-Tek (November 16, 2020)
"2020 Toyota US Open Championships – Compiled Results"
''USA Swimming''. November 22, 2022.

2020 US Olympic Trials

At the 2020 US Olympic Trials in Omaha, Nebraska, which were postponed to 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Walsh started competing on the first day of the second wave of the competition, swimming a time of 27.02 seconds in the 50 meter butterfly en route to her final mark of 58.58 in the prelims heats of the 100 meter butterfly, which ranked her eighth heading into the semifinals.USA Swimming (June 13, 2021)
"2020 U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Wave II: Women's 100m Butterfly Heats Results Summary"
''Omega Timing''. Retrieved November 24, 2021. In the semifinals of the 100 meter butterfly, Walsh swam a time of 58.46 seconds, ranked twelfth overall, and did not advance to the final of the event.USA Swimming (June 13, 2021)
"2020 U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Wave II: Women's 100m Butterfly Semifinals Results Summary"
''Omega Timing''. Retrieved November 24, 2021. For her second event of the trials, the 100 meter freestyle, Walsh placed 28th in the prelims heats with a time of 55.91 seconds.USA Swimming (June 17, 2021)
"2020 U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Wave II: Women's 100m Freestyle Heats Results Summary"
''Omega Timing''. Retrieved November 24, 2021. In her third and final event of the 2020 Olympic Trials, Walsh swam a personal best time of 24.64 seconds in the semifinals stage of competition of the 50 meter freestyle, which ranked her sixth overall ahead of the final.USA Swimming (June 19, 2021)
"2020 U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Wave II: Women's 50m Freestyle Semifinals Results Summary"
''Omega Timing''. Retrieved November 24, 2021. Walsh swam a 24.74 in the final of the event, placing fifth overall, and narrowly missed the 2020 US Olympic Team.USA Swimming (June 20, 2021)
"2020 U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Wave II: Women's 50m Freestyle Final Results"
''Omega Timing''. Retrieved November 24, 2021."U.S. Olympic Swimming Team Trials: Results"
'' Olympics.com''. June 20, 2021. Retrieved November 24, 2021.

2021–2022: First collegiate season

In one of the first dual meets of her collegiate career, Walsh helped the Virginia Cavaliers, defeat the California Golden Bears, winning four individual events, including the 100 yard backstroke in 51.15 seconds, and swimming on two relays."Cal Edged By No. 1 Virginia"
''California Golden Bears''. October 15, 2021. Retrieved November 24, 2021."ACC Announces Swimming & Diving Weekly Awards 10.19.2021"
''Atlantic Coast Conference''. October 19, 2021. Retrieved November 24, 2021. Her performances contributed to collegiate swimming being ranked number one for "The Week That Was" honor from ''Swimming World'' for the week of October 18, 2021.Rieder, David (October 18, 2021)
"The Week That Was: Virginia-Cal Dual Meet Highlight Week in College Swimming"
''Swimming World''. Retrieved November 24, 2021. Walsh was also named as the "Women's Swimmer of the Week" by the Atlantic Coast Conference, ACC, for the week of October 19, 2021. Later in the month, at a dual meet between her school and Army, Walsh won the 200 yard freestyle."Virginia Tops Army In Dual Meet"
''Virginia Cavaliers''. October 30, 2021. Retrieved November 24, 2021.Newton, Matt (October 31, 2021)
"UVA Swim & Dive Sweeps Army in Home Opener"
''Sports Illustrated''. Retrieved November 24, 2021. In January 2022, Walsh split a 23.04 for the lead-off leg of the 4×50 medley relay in a dual meet against North Carolina State University, becoming the fastest female American swimmer in the 50 yard backstroke.Gibbs, Robert (January 22, 2022)
"Gretchen Walsh Clocks 23.04, Now Fastest American Woman Ever In The 50 Back"
''SwimSwam''. Retrieved January 22, 2022.Rieder, David (January 22, 2022)
"Gretchen Walsh Leads Virginia to Dual Meet Win Over NC State With Second-Fastest 50 Back Split Ever, Two Individual Wins"
''Swimming World''. Retrieved January 22, 2022.

2022 ACC Championships

In her first race of the 2022 Atlantic Coast Conference, ACC, Championships in February 2022, Walsh tied Kate Douglass for a new ACC record in the 50 yard freestyle with a 21.25 in the prelims heats.D'Addona, Dan (February 16, 2022)
"ACC Swimming Championships Day 2 Prelims: Kate Douglass, Gretchen Walsh Tie ACC Record in 50 Freestyle"
''Swimming World''. Retrieved February 16, 2022. With her time of 21.25 seconds, Walsh also became the fastest female freshman swimmer in the history of the NCAA in the 50 yard freestyle, edging out former fastest female freshman, Simone Manuel in 2015, by 0.07 seconds.Keith, Braden (February 16, 2022)
"Virginia's Gretchen Walsh Breaks Simone Manuel's Freshman Record In The 50 Free"
''SwimSwam''. Retrieved February 16, 2022. In the final of the 4×50 yard freestyle relay in the evening, she split a 20.58 on the fourth leg to help achieve a first-place finish in an American record time of 1:24.47.Gibbs, Robert (February 16, 2022)
"2022 ACC Championships: Day 2 Finals Live Recap"
''SwimSwam''. Retrieved February 16, 2022.Rieder, David (February 16, 2022)
"Virginia Breaks American and NCAA Records in Women's 200 Free Relay; Gretchen Walsh Anchors in 20.58"
''Swimming World''. Retrieved February 16, 2022.Keith, Braden (February 16, 2022)
"Virginia Women Break NCAA, US Open Records In 200 Free Relay At ACC Champs"
''SwimSwam''. Retrieved February 16, 2022. Walsh swam a 21.04 in the final of the 50 yard freestyle to become the fourth-fastest woman ever to swim the event in the NCAA, behind Abbey Weitzeil, Kate Douglass, and Erika Brown, and placed second.Rieder, David (February 16, 2022)
"2022 ACC Championships: After UVA Relay Record, Emma Weyant Wins First Conference Title"
''Swimming World''. Retrieved February 16, 2022. On day three, Walsh helped set another American record, this time in the 4×50 medley relay, with a new record time of 1:31.81 to win the event.Rieder, David (February 17, 2022)
"Virginia Shatters Fastest Time Ever in Women's 200 Medley Relay; Gretchen Walsh Swims First-Ever Sub-23 50 Backstroke"
''Swimming World''. Retrieved February 17, 2022. Her split time of 22.82 for the backstroke leg of the relay was the fastest 50 yard backstroke time by a female swimmer in the NCAA.Pelshaw, Anya (February 17, 2022)
"Gretchen Walsh Swims 22.82 50 Backstroke; Top Performer Of All-Time"
''SwimSwam''. Retrieved February 17, 2022. The following morning, she ranked third in the prelims heats of the 100 yard backstroke in 51.53, qualifying for the final.Gibbs, Robert (February 18, 2022)
"2022 ACC Championships: Day 4 Prelims Live Recap"
''SwimSwam''. Retrieved February 18, 2022. In the evening, she placed second with a time of 50.13 seconds, which was 0.72 seconds behind first-place finisher Katharine Berkoff.Gibbs, Robert (February 18, 2022)
"2022 ACC Championships: Day 4 Finals Live Recap"
''SwimSwam''. Retrieved February 18, 2022. She followed up her individual performance with a split of 49.71 on the backstroke leg of the 4×100 yard medley relay, helping set new American and US Open records in the event at 3:22.34.Gibbs, Robert (February 18, 2022)
"Virginia Cavalier Women Smash 400 Medley Relay Records With 3:22.34"
''SwimSwam''. Retrieved February 18, 2022.Rieder, David (February 18, 2022)
"Kate Douglass Anchors Virginia to American and NCAA Record-Smashing 400 Medley Relay; Third Relay Record of Meet"
''Swimming World''. Retrieved February 18, 2022. Her time of 49.71 seconds was a personal best time and moved her up in rankings to sixth-fastest female swimmer in the event.Sutherland, James (February 18, 2022)
"Gretchen Walsh Moves To #6 All-Time With 49.71 100 Back On 400 MR Lead-Off"
''SwimSwam''. Retrieved February 18, 2022.

Starting off her competition on the fifth and final day, Walsh qualified for the final of the 100 yard freestyle with a time of 47.07 seconds, which ranked her second overall in the prelims heats.Gibbs, Robert (February 19, 2022)
"2022 ACC Championships: Day 5 Prelims Live Recap"
''SwimSwam''. Retrieved February 19, 2022. In the final, she swam a personal best time of 46.86 seconds to take second place.Gibbs, Robert (February 19, 2022)
"2022 ACC Championships: Day 5 Finals Live Recap"
''SwimSwam''. Retrieved February 19, 2022. Finishing off the meet, she anchored the 4×100 yard freestyle relay with a 46.35, helping win in an ACC record time of 3:08.22.Rieder, David (February 19, 2022)
"2022 ACC Championships: Virginia Women Trying to Hold Off NC State for Conference Title"
''Swimming World''. Retrieved February 19, 2022.

2022 NCAA Championships

On day one of the 2022 NCAA Division I Championships in March, Walsh helped achieve a win in the 4×50 yard medley relay in a Championships record time of 1:32.16, splitting a 22.81 for the backstroke leg of the relay.D'Addona, Dan (March 16, 2022)
"2022 NCAA Women's Division I Championships: Virginia Claims 200 Medley Relay in Meet Record"
''Swimming World''. Retrieved March 16, 2022. In the morning prelims heats on day two, she ranked second in the 50 yard freestyle with a time of 21.09 seconds and qualified for the final.D'Addona, Dan (March 17, 2022)
"2022 NCAA Women's Championships: Kate Douglass Breaks NCAA, American Record in 50 Free; Gretchen Walsh Second"
''Swimming World''. Retrieved March 17, 2022. She swam a personal best time of 20.95 seconds in the final, placing second.Lepesant, Anne (March 17, 2022)
"2022 NCAA Division I Women's Championships: Day 2 Finals Live Recap"
''SwimSwam''. Retrieved March 17, 2022. Later in the same finals session, she helped achieve a first-place victory in the 4×50 yard freestyle relay, splitting a 20.58 for the anchor leg of the relay.Hy-Tek (March 17, 2022)
"2022 NCAA DI Women's Swimming & Diving"
''swimmeetresults.tech''. Retrieved March 17, 2022. The third morning, she qualified for the final of the 100 yard backstroke tied in rank for second with a time of 49.93 seconds.Lepesant, Anne (March 18, 2022)
"2022 NCAA Division I Women's Championships: Day 3 Prelims Live Recap"
''SwimSwam''. Retrieved March 18, 2022. In the evening, she placed second in the 100 yard backstroke with a personal best time of 49.00 seconds, finishing 0.26 seconds behind first-place finisher Katharine Berkoff.Rieder, David (March 18, 2022)
"NCAA Women's Championships: Katharine Berkoff Swims 48.74 to Crush 100 Back American Record; Gretchen Walsh Breaks Old Mark"
''Swimming World''. Retrieved March 18, 2022. For the 4×100 yard medley relay in the same session, she helped the team win in a time of 3:22.34, which tied the American and US Open records in the event, splitting a 49.44 for backstroke leg of the relay.Rieder, David (March 18, 2022)
"NCAA Women's Championships: Virginia Ties American and NCAA Records in 400 Medley Relay"
''Swimming World''. Retrieved March 18, 2022.

On the fourth and final day, Walsh ranked first in the prelims heats of the 100 yard freestyle, qualifying for the final with a time of 46.78 seconds.Lohn, John (March 19, 2022)
"NCAA Women's Championships: As Big Names Miss Out, Gretchen Walsh Grabs Top Seed in 100 Freestyle; Lia Thomas Advances"
''Swimming World''. Retrieved March 19, 2022. In the final, she won the NCAA title in the event, set a new pool record, and ranked as the fourth-fastest all-time in the 100 yard freestyle with a new personal best time of 46.05 seconds.D'Addona, Dan (March 19, 2022)
"2022 NCAA Women's Championships: Virginia's Gretchen Walsh Fourth All Time to Win 100 Freestyle"
''Swimming World''. Retrieved March 19, 2022. She concluded her first NCAA Championships with another win, this time helping set new American and US Open records in the 4×100 yard freestyle relay in 3:06.91, splitting a 26.01 for the anchor leg of the relay.Pelshaw, Anya (March 19, 2022)
"Virginia Caps Off 2022 NCAAs With American Record in 400 Free Relay"
''SwimSwam''. Retrieved March 19, 2022.Rieder, David (March 19, 2022)
"NCAA Women's Championships: Virginia Caps Off Dominant Meet With American Record in 400 Free Relay"
''Swimming World''. Retrieved March 19, 2022.

2022 International Team Trials

Walsh ranked 22nd in the preliminary heats of the 100 meter freestyle on day one of the 2022 US International Team Trials in Greensboro, North Carolina, in April, not advancing to the final with her time of 55.57 seconds.USA Swimming (April 26, 2022)
"Phillips 66 International Team Trials: Women's 100m Freestyle Heats Results Summary"
''Omega Timing''. Retrieved April 26, 2022. The following day, she tied for fourth-rank in the prelims heats of the 50 meter butterfly with a personal best time of 25.98 seconds, advancing to the evening final.USA Swimming (April 27, 2022)
"Phillips 66 International Team Trials: Women's 50m Butterfly Heats Results Summary"
''Omega Timing''. Retrieved April 27, 2022. She placed fourth in the final with a personal best time of 25.97 seconds.USA Swimming (April 27, 2022)
"Phillips 66 International Team Trials: Women's 50m Butterfly Final Results"
''Omega Timing''. Retrieved April 27, 2022. On day three, she qualified for the final of the 50 meter backstroke ranking eighth in the prelims heats with a personal best time of 28.26 seconds.USA Swimming (April 28, 2022)
"Phillips 66 International Team Trials: Women's 50m Backstroke Heats Results Summary"
''Omega Timing''. Retrieved April 28, 2022. She placed fifth in the final, lowering her personal best time to a 27.78.USA Swimming (April 28, 2022)
"Phillips 66 International Team Trials: Women's 50m Backstroke Final Results"
''Omega Timing''. Retrieved April 28, 2022. Day four, she ranked 15th in the prelims heats of the 100 meter backstroke, qualifying for the b-final with a 1:01.25.USA Swimming (April 29, 2022)
"Phillips 66 International Team Trials: Women's 100m Backstroke Heats Results Summary"
''Omega Timing''. Retrieved April 29, 2022. She decided not to compete in the event in the B-final.USA Swimming (April 29, 2022)
"Phillips 66 International Team Trials: Women's 100m Backstroke Final Results"
''Omega Timing''. Retrieved April 29, 2022. In her final event, the 50 meter freestyle on the fifth and final day, she ranked sixth in the prelims heats with a 24.88 and qualified for the final.USA Swimming (April 30, 2022)
"Phillips 66 International Team Trials: Women's 50m Freestyle Heats Results Summary"
''Omega Timing''. Retrieved April 30, 2022. She placed third in the final with a personal best time of 24.53 seconds, just 0.03 seconds behind the first-place finisher.USA Swimming (April 30, 2022)
"Phillips 66 International Team Trials: Women's 50m Freestyle Final Results"
''Omega Timing''. Retrieved April 30, 2022. Three months later, she lowered her personal best time in the 50 meter freestyle again, this time to a 24.47, at the 2022 US National Championships and took second place.USA Swimming (July 30, 2022)
"2022 Phillips 66 National Championships: Women's 50m Freestyle Final Results"
''Omega Timing''. Retrieved July 30, 2022. Two days before her 50 meter freestyle personal best time, she won the national title in the 100 meter butterfly with a time of 57.44 seconds.USA Swimming (July 28, 2022)
"2022 Phillips 66 National Championships: Women's 100m Butterfly Final Results"
''Omega Timing''. Retrieved April 2, 2023.

2022–2023: Second collegiate season

At the 2022 Tennessee Invitational in Knoxville in November, Walsh won the 50 yard freestyle with a personal best time of 20.94 seconds.Rieder, David (November 17, 2022)
"Gretchen Walsh Swims 20.94 50 Freestyle in Knoxville; One Tenth Off American and NCAA Records"
''Swimming World''. Retrieved February 10, 2023. She also achieved a personal best time of 49.89 seconds in the 100 yard butterfly in the preliminaries in the event.Sutherland, James (November 18, 2022)
"Gretchen Walsh Becomes 4th Woman to Crack 50 Seconds in 100 Fly & 100 Back"
''SwimSwam''. Retrieved February 16, 2023. In early February 2023, she achieved a second-place finish in the 200 yard freestyle at the season's Cavalier Invitational with a personal best time of 1:43.24, which was 0.46 seconds behind first-place finisher and teammate Aimee Canny.Turnbull, Fiona (February 7, 2023)
"Swim and dive teams host Cavalier Invite, set records"
''The Cavalier Daily''. Retrieved February 10, 2023.

2023 ACC Championships

On the first night of the 2023 Atlantic Coast Conference Championships in Greensboro, North Carolina, Walsh led off with a personal best time of 22.65 seconds for the backstroke portion of the 4×50 yard medley relay to help win the conference title in an American, US Open, and NCAA record time of 1:31.73.Li, Yanyan (February 14, 2023)
"UVA Breaks American, US Open, and NCAA Record With 1:31.73 Medley Relay"
''SwimSwam''. Retrieved February 14, 2023.Newton, Matt (February 14, 2022)
"UVA Women Win Two Relays on Day One of ACC Swim & Dive Championships"
''Sports Illustrated''. Retrieved February 15, 2023.Rieder, David (February 14, 2023)
"Virginia Opens ACC Championships With Fastest Time Ever in 200 Medley Relay"
''Swimming World''. Retrieved February 14, 2023."Day One of the 2023 ACC Swimming and Diving Championships Complete"
''Atlantic Coast Conference''. February 14, 2023. Retrieved February 15, 2023."Virginia Wins Two Relays, Sets American Record on ACC Championship Day One"
''Virginia Cavaliers''. February 14, 2023. Retrieved February 15, 2023. In her first final of the evening session the following day, she split a 20.48 for the second leg of the 4×50 yard freestyle relay, helping set new American, US Open, and NCAA records with a time of 1:23.87.Hy-Tek (February 14, 2023)
"Meet Results: 2023 ACC Championship"
''sidearmstats.com''. Retrieved February 15, 2023.Li, Yanyan (February 15, 2023)
"UVA Women Break 200 Free Relay NCAA, US Open, and American Record With A 1:23.87"
''SwimSwam''. Retrieved February 15, 2023.Rieder, David (February 15, 2023)
"Kate Douglass, Gretchen Walsh Lead Virginia to Another Record in 200 Freestyle Relay"
''Swimming World''. Retrieved February 15, 2023."Two American Records Set on Day Two of ACC Swim and Dive Championships"
''Atlantic Coast Conference''. February 15, 2023. Retrieved February 15, 2023. Later in the session, she set new American, US Open, and NCAA records in the 50 yard freestyle with a time of 20.83 seconds, lowering the former marks by 0.01 seconds from the 20.84 set by Kate Douglass in 2022 and winning the conference title.Rieder, David (February 15, 2023)
"Gretchen Walsh Breaks Her First Individual American Record in 50 Freestyle"
''Swimming World''. Retrieved February 15, 2023.Zacharias, Sidney (February 15, 2023)
"2023 ACC Championships: Gretchen Walsh Takes Down NCAA 50 Free Record In 20.83"
''SwimSwam''. Retrieved February 15, 2023."Virginia Sets Two American Records, Wins Four ACC Championships on Night Two"
''Virginia Cavaliers''. February 15, 2023. Retrieved February 15, 2023. It marked her first American record in an individual event. It was also her first conference title in an individual event. She would go on to lower this record shortly after.

On the third evening, Walsh finished in a personal best time of 49.34 seconds in the final of the 100 yard butterfly to place second, 0.50 seconds behind first-place finisher Kate Douglass who set a new American record in the event."Virginia Sweeps Women's Swimming Events on Thursday at ACC Championships"
''Virginia Cavaliers''. February 16, 2023. Retrieved February 16, 2023. In the final of the 4×100 yard medley relay the following day, she contributed to winning the conference title with a 3:21.80, swimming the backstroke leg in 49.25 and helping set new US Open and NCAA records in the event.Dornan, Ben (February 17, 2023)
"UVA Hits 3:21.80 NCAA Record In 400 Medley Relay, Douglass Splits 48.25 On Fly"
''SwimSwam''. Retrieved February 17, 2023.Rieder, David (February 17, 2023)
"Virginia Women Break Third Relay Record of ACCs in 400 Medley Relay; Douglass Splits 48.25 on Butterfly"
''Swimming World''. Retrieved February 17, 2023. The fifth and final evening, she placed second in the final of the 100 yard freestyle with a time of 46.32 seconds."Virginia Women Win Fourth-Straight ACC Championship"
''Virginia Cavaliers''. February 18, 2023. Retrieved February 18, 2023. She concluded the Championships with a 46.41 on the lead-off leg of the 4×100 yard freestyle relay to help win the event and lower the US Open, American, and NCAA records in the event with a final time of 3:06.83.Keith, Braden (February 18, 2023)
"Virginia Women Punctuate ACC Title With Their 4th NCAA Relay Record This Week"
''SwimSwam''. Retrieved February 18, 2023.Rieder, David (February 18, 2023)
"Virginia Women Take Down Fourth Relay Record of ACCs in 400 Free Relay"
''Swimming World''. Retrieved February 18, 2023.

2023 NCAA Championships

Commencing competition at the 2023 NCAA Division I Championships with the 4×50 yard medley relay, Walsh and her relay teammates won the NCAA title with American, US Open, and NCAA records of 1:31.51.Hy-Tek (March 15, 2023)
"Meet Results: 2023 NCAA DI Women's Swimming & Diving"
''swimmeetresults.tech''. Retrieved March 15, 2023.
''The Daily Progress''. March 15, 2023. Retrieved March 15, 2023. On the second evening, she first won the silver medal in the 50 yard freestyle with a time of 20.85 seconds, then won a gold medal and NCAA title in the 4×50 yard freestyle relay, where she helped set a new Championships record of 1:24.51 by splitting a 20.59 for the second leg of the relay.Newton, Matt (March 16, 2023)
"Virginia Strengthens Lead on Day Two at NCAA Swim & Dive Championships"
''Sports Illustrated''. Retrieved March 16, 2023. In her first event of the third evening, she won her first 100 yard backstroke NCAA title with an American, US Open, and NCAA record time of 48.26 seconds, which was a time drop of 0.74 seconds from her previous personal best time.Rieder, David (March 17, 2023)
"NCAA Women's Championships: Gretchen Walsh Blasts Historic 48.26 to Clobber 100 Backstroke Record"
''Swimming World''. Retrieved March 17, 2023."No. 1 Virginia Wins Four Titles, Sets Two NCAA Records at NCAA Championships"
''Virginia Cavaliers''. March 17, 2023. Retrieved March 17, 2023. She followed up with an NCAA title in the 4×100 yard medley relay, swimming the backstroke leg of the relay to contribute to a finish in 3:22.39.Associated Press (March 17, 2023)
"Virginia claims 4 more titles at NCAA swim championships"
''Yahoo! News''. Retrieved March 17, 2023.

On the fourth of four evenings, Walsh won the NCAA title for a second year in a row in the 100 yard freestyle, finishing in a pool record and personal best time of 45.61 seconds, which was 0.05 seconds slower than the American record of 45.56 seconds set by Simone Manuel in 2017.D'Addona, Dan (March 18, 2023)
"NCAA Women's Championships: Gretchen Walsh Scares 100 Free Record to Surge Past Star-Studded Field"
''Swimming World''. Retrieved March 18, 2023. She attained a sub-46 second time (45.85) on the anchor leg of the 4×100 yard freestyle relay to conclude the meet with another NCAA title in an American, US Open, and NCAA record time of 3:05.84 with relay teammates Kate Douglass, her elder sister, Alex Walsh, and Maxine Parker.Overend, Riley (March 18, 2023)
"Virginia Smashes NCAA Record in 400 Free Relay (3:05.84) to Punctuate Three-Peat"
''SwimSwam''. Retrieved March 18, 2023.

2023-2024: Third collegiate season

Walsh lowered her American record and tied the U.S. Open and NCAA records in the women's 50 freestyle during the first day of the Tennessee Invitational. At 20.79 seconds, the time tied the NCAA/U.S. Open record set by Maggie Mac Neil, Maggie MacNeil.

2024 NCAA Championships

At the 2024 NCAA Championships, Walsh swept all seven of her events, contributing strongly to the Virginia Cavaliers' victory, their fourth consecutive one. On the first day, Walsh split a 22.10 on her 50 yard backstroke leg en route to a pool record of 1:31.58 in the 4x50yd medley relay, coming just 0.07 seconds away from the NCAA & American records previously set by Virginia at the 2023 NCAA Championships. This split marked the fastest ever 50 yard backstroke split by a woman.

On the second day, Walsh twice lowered her NCAA and American records in the 50 yard freestyle, swimming a 20.41 in the preliminary heats before blasting a 20.37 in the finals to take first. This marked her first NCAA win in the 50 yard freestyle after two consecutive years placing 2nd. She additionally split a 20.23 on the second leg of the 4x50yd freestyle relay, culminating in Virginia winning with a time of 1:24.05, marking a meet and pool record.

On the third day, Walsh won the 100 yard butterfly in a 47.42, marking the first time any woman broke 48 seconds in the event. With the next fastest performer, Kate Douglass, holding a personal best time of 48.46, Walsh's performance was a full second faster than any other woman had ever swam. She then swam a 48.26 in the 100 yard backstroke to open Virginia's 4x100yd medley relay, which won in a 3:21.01, breaking the NCAA and American records.

On the meet's last day, Walsh won the 100 yard freestyle in a 44.83, marking the first time any woman broke 45 seconds in the event. She concluded her meet by splitting a 45.17 on the third leg of Virginia's 4x100yd free relay, marking the fastest recorded split in that relay's history. Virginia ultimately won the event in a 3:05.89, just 0.05 seconds from their own NCAA record. Walsh concluded the meet with a perfect 7-for-7 first places, including three individual NCAA records, one relay NCAA record, and pool records in all seven events.

2024 U.S. Olympic Trials

At the 2024 United States Olympic trials in June, Walsh set a new world record in the long course 100-metre butterfly with a time of 55.18, breaking the former record of 55.48 set by Sarah Sjöström at the 2016 Summer Olympics. While Walsh had held multiple American & NCAA records up to this point in short course yards, this performance marked her first ever American or world record in long course meters.

2024 Paris Olympics

At the 2024 Summer Olympics, Walsh finished with four medals, two gold and two silver. She won gold in the medley relay, helping set a world record of 3:49.63 by swimming the Butterfly in a split of 55.03, and in the 4×100m mixed medley relay, where the team also set a world record (3:37.43) with Walsh swimming the butterfly in a split of 52.98. In the 4×100m freestyle relay, the team took silver with a time of 3:30.20, with Walsh swimming the second leg at a split of 52.55. She also took silver in the 100m butterfly, finishing in a time of 55.63, just behind her teammate Torri Huske. She also made the final of the 50m freestyle, finishing 4th in a time of 24.21, and of the 100m freestyle, where she finished 8th with a time of 53.04.

2025

On May 2, 2025, during the Pro Swim Series, Walsh broke the American record in the 50-meter butterfly that she herself had set, setting a new American record (and a new Pro Swim Series record) of 24.93 seconds. The next day, also during the Pro Swim Series, she broke her own world record in the 100-meter butterfly twice, first setting a new record of 55.09 seconds, then setting a new record of 54.60 seconds.

Business

Gretchen and her sister Alex were the first NCAA athletes (and set of siblings) to launch an apparel line with a major retailer after the passage of the NIL. In September 2022, they released a collaboration with Sporti by Swimoutlet.com and created their swimsuit line, called Sporti ''x Alex + Gretchen Walsh.''

International championships

Personal best times

Long course meters (50 m pool)

Short course yards (25 yd pool)

World records

World records

Long course meters (50 m pool)

Short course meters (25 m pool)

World junior records

Long course meters (50 m pool)

National records

Short course yards (25 yd pool)

Legend: NR – American record; US – US Open record

Awards and honors

* ''SwimSwam'', Weekly Wonders of Age Group Swimming: August 5, 2015
* ''Swimming World'', Up & Comers: September 6, 2016
* USA Swimming, Team USA Captain: 2019 World Junior Championships
* National Interscholastic Swimming Coaches Association (NISCA), All-American High School Swimmer: 2020–2021"2020–21 NISCA Girls High School Swimming All-American: 100 Yard Freestyle"
''NISCA''. 2021. Retrieved February 19, 2022.
* ''Swimming World Magazine'', Cover Issue: Special Double Issue (May/June 2020, Vol. 61, No. 6)Serowik, Lauren (June 3, 2020)
"Swimming World Presents "Sister Act: Gretchen and Alex Walsh Chasing The Ultimate Dream… Together""
''Swimming World''. Retrieved November 24, 2021.
* ''SwimSwam'', Swammy Award, NCAA Freshman of the Year (Women's): 2022Keith, Braden (March 20, 2022)
"2022 Swammy Awards: NCAA Women's Swimming & Diving"
''SwimSwam''. Retrieved March 20, 2022.
* Arena, Swim of the Week: January 28, 2022Sutherland, James (January 28, 2022)
"Arena Swim Of The Week: Gretchen Walsh Blasts (Unofficial) 50 Back AR"
''SwimSwam''. Retrieved January 28, 2022.
* Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), Swimmer of the Week (female): October 19, 2021, January 25, 2022,"ACC Announces Swimming & Performers of the Week"
''Atlantic Coast Conference''. January 25, 2022. Retrieved January 25, 2022. October 25, 2022,"Gretchen Walsh Named ACC Women's Swimmer of the Week"
''Virginia Cavaliers''. October 25, 2022. Retrieved February 20, 2023. November 8, 2022,"ACC Names Swimming & Diving Performers of the Week"
''Atlantic Coast Conference''. November 8, 2022. Retrieved February 20, 2023. January 24, 2023"Gretchen Walsh Named ACC Women's Swimmer of the Week"
''Virginia Cavaliers''. January 24, 2023. Retrieved February 20, 2023.
* Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), Freshman of the Year (Women's): 2021–2022"ACC Unveils 2021–22 Swimming & Diving Annual Awards"
''Atlantic Coast Conference''. April 8, 2022. Retrieved April 8, 2022.
* ''Swimming World'', The Week That Was: October 18, 2021 (#1)
* Honda Sports Award, finalist: 2022–2023"Kate Douglass, Gretchen Walsh Named Honda Sport Award Finalists"
''Virginia Cavaliers''. March 28, 2023. Retrieved April 15, 2023.
* ''StyleBlueprint'', Top 10 Most Popular Articles in Nashville for 2022 for an article covering the launch of her and her sister's clothing line.Goebel, Brianna (December 28, 2022)
"Nashville's 10 Most Popular Articles of 2022"
''StyleBlueprint''. Retrieved December 29, 2022.
* Golden Goggle Awards, Breakout Performer of the Year: 2024
* Golden Goggle Awards, Relay Performance of the Year: 2024
* 2024 World Aquatics Swimming Championships (25 m), Best female swimmer award

See also

* List of junior world records in swimming
* List of people from Tennessee
* List of people from Nashville, Tennessee

References

External links

*

{{DEFAULTSORT:Walsh, Gretchen
2003 births
Living people
American female freestyle swimmers
American female butterfly swimmers
Swimmers from Nashville, Tennessee
Virginia Cavaliers women's swimmers
21st-century American sportswomen
World Aquatics Championships medalists in swimming
World record holders in swimming
Swimmers at the 2024 Summer Olympics
Medalists at the 2024 Summer Olympics
Olympic silver medalists for the United States in swimming
Olympic gold medalists for the United States in swimming
American female models
Medalists at the FINA World Swimming Championships (25 m)