2024 WOMEN’S NCAA SWIMMING AND DIVING CHAMPIONSHIPS
- March 20-23, 2024
- Gabrielsen Natatorium, Athens, Georgia
- Short Course Yards (25 yards)
- Meet Central
- Psych Sheets
- SwimSwam Preview Index
- Live Results
- SwimSwam Pick ’em Contest
- Day 1 Finals Recap
- Day 2 Prelims Live Recap | Day 2 Finals Live Recap
- Day 3 Prelims Live Recap | Day 3 Finals Live Recap
- Day 4 Prelims Live Recap | Day 4 Finals Live Recap
WOMEN’S 100 YARD FREESTYLE – FINALS
- NCAA Record: 45.16 – Gretchen Walsh, Virginia (2024)
- Meet Record: 45.56 – Simone Manuel, Stanford (2017)
- American Record: 45.16 – Gretchen Walsh, Virginia (2024)
- US Open Record: 45.16 – Gretchen Walsh, Virginia (2024)
- Pool Record: 45.78 – Gretchen Walsh (2024)
- 2023 Champion: 45.61 – Gretchen Walsh, Virginia
Top 8:
- Gretchen Walsh, Virginia – 44.83 *ALL RECORDS*
- Katharine Berkoff, NC State – 46.23
- Isabel Ivey, Florida – 46.67
- Jasmine Nocentini, Virginia – 47.00
- Amy Fulmer, Ohio State – 47.18
- Christiana Regenauer, Louisville – 47.20
- Anna Peplowski, Indiana – 47.31
- Gabi Albiero, Louisville – 47.37
History is made once again by Gretchen Walsh as she breaks her own NCAA and American records swimming a 44.83 in the 100 freestyle. Walsh broke her own record of a 45.16 that she set last month at ACCs.
Split Comparison:
| 2024 NCAAs | 2024 ACCs | |
| 1st 50 | 21.40 | 21.42 |
| 2nd 50 | 23.43 | 23.74 |
| Final | 44.83 | 45.16 |
Walsh was off the block in a 0.73 reaction time and flipped in a 10.12 to her feet at the first 25. She was out faster at the 50 in a 21.40 compared to a 21.42 but she brought it home strong over three-tenths faster tonight than at ACCs. She notably closed in a 11.67 on her final 25 which was faster than her third 25 of a 11.76.
This is Walsh’s third NCAA and American record of the meet. She also broke her own records in the 50 free swimming a 20.37 and the 100 fly swimming a 47.42. Not only did she win the event by 1.4 seconds tonight but she also now is the fastest performer in history as Simone Manuel is the 2nd fastest performer all-time with a 45.56 from 2017 NCAAs.
Walsh now holds five of the top seven fastest performances in history as Manuel holds the other two. Walsh becomes the first woman under 45 seconds and only four women (Walsh, Manuel, Erika Brown, and Kate Douglass) have been under the 46-second mark.
43 next year?
fun fact: Gretchen’s opening 50 time in the 100 fly plus her closing 50 in the 100 free adds up to a faster time than the 50 fly + 50 free splits on Tennessee’s 4×50 medley relay, which placed 5th overall
Sub 40 esque
Can she do it in long course with only 1 turn?
She can do something in long course. Guess it depends on your definition of ‘it’. I think she definitely has a 52 in her this summer.
Given how long and smooth her stroke looks, I don’t think she’s in any way just a short course phenom who is all about the underwaters. She might be even better in long course. Given the big time drops this year compared to last year, trials could be exciting.
Agreed. I think the “short course only” thought process about Gretchen only applies to her backstroke. Even she mentioned she won’t include it long course in the lead up to trials because it’s such a different race without her underwaters. but she has proven she can compete long course in fly and free, and is improving year after year.
dude what a dirty swim. kudos to her
best all around yards sprinter ever. absolute insanity in all of her races.
And do not worry, I have evidence to support my claim! (I did try to post this a while earlier but I guess it didn’t go up, idk if I forgot to submit it but if it ends up duplicating then oh well). Below is a breakdown of all of her accomplishments this season, by event, and a few other things I think are notable and relevant to her being the best all around yards sprinter ever. if you cannot tell by the end of this, yes, women’s swimming is my roman empire
50 free
NCAAs – broke US Open records in prelims and finals
ACCs (untapered) – broke US Open records in prelims and finals
Mid… Read more »
This is one of the best comments I’ve ever read on this site. Love the detailed analysis, and the Roman empire aside seals the deal.
I love the stats too. Still tend to go with Dressel as best sprinter ever. Would love to see somebody steelman his credentials.
This comment is amazing, and really highlights how good Gretchen is, especially in the 100 fly. The fact that she could not only get NCAA invites in the event with her times, but make the B-final (and almost A-final) of the 100 free while swimming fly is absurd.
Dressel surely couldn’t do that, and I can’t think of another swimmer who could. It is utterly insane to me, and I believe Gretchen is the best all-around sprinter in history in the NCAA as well.
44.83*
Legendary performance this weekend. With the likes of Marchand, Dressel and Douglass at NCAA. Absolute masterclass by Gretchen!