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Gretchen Walsh Clocks 23.04, Now Fastest American Woman Ever In the 50 Back

UVA v NC State

  • Saturday, January 22, 2022
  • Aquatic & Fitness Center, Charlottesville, VA
  • SCY
  • Dual Meet Format
  • Live Results on Meet Mobile as “Virginia vs. NC State”

Today’s battle of ACC rivals Virginia and NC State saw some incredibly fast swimming right out of the gate, as UVA freshman Gretchen Walsh scorched a 23.04 leadoff leg on UVA’s 200 medley relay in the very first event of the meet.

According to those at the meet, Walsh (along with most of the rest of the competitors) was not wearing a tech suit, but despite that, Walsh moves to #2 all-time in the 50 yard backstroke, behind only Michigan’s Maggie MacNeil.

WOMEN’S 50 BACK – TOP PERFORMERS ALL-TIME

  1. Maggie MacNeil23.02
  2. Gretchen Walsh 23.04
  3. Katharine Berkoff –23.27
  4. Rhyan White – 23.35
  5. Rachel Bootsma – 23.36

With today’s swim, Walsh leapfrogs NC State’s Katharine Berkoff to move to #2 all-time in the event. MacNeil represents Canada internationally, so Walsh is now the fastest American ever in the event, although USA Swimming doesn’t formally recognize American records in the 50 yard non-free events.

We’ll do a full meet recap later, but we’ll also note for now that UVA went 1:33.74 in today’s 200 medley relay. That’s the fastest time in the NCAA this season, with the previous best being the Cavaliers’ own 1:34.16 from the Tennessee Invitational back in November.

That time is actually faster than UVA went at 2021 NCAAs, when they finished 2nd to NC State, 1:33.18 to 1:34.13, but its still about a second shy of the overall record of 1:32.93 that the Cavaliers set at last year’s ACC championships. Walsh is part of the key difference there, as her leadoff time today was a full second faster than the 24.13 UVA got from Caroline Gmelich at NCAAs.

Additionally, Walsh clocked a 50.61 in the 100 backstroke today, improving her season and lifetime best from the 50.89 she went leading off UVA’s 400 medley relay at the Virginia vs. Texas dual meet back in October.

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Bobo Gigi
2 years ago

That’s crazy impressive. But I hope she will focus on the 100 free for 2024. US women’s swimming doesn’t need another great backstroker. But they badly need great sprinters for the 4X100 free relay.

Tomek
2 years ago

Link to full results

Gretchen is queen
2 years ago

Oh how I wish the 50 strokes were included in a general format with USA swimming. There would be so much more inclusion!

Team Regan Team Regan
2 years ago

Just out of curiosity, is there a back-up option in case the worlds do not happen? Possibly USA incorporated into Commonwealth Games or Euros? Maybe as a last resort option, they could plan an 8 day trials format meet (following worlds format), and top 6 in each event get national team spot.

zhenia
2 years ago

Why would you race without your swimwear?

swimmer
Reply to  zhenia
2 years ago

Um do you think unsuited means naked or something?

TeamRegan TeamRegan
2 years ago

I think she has a huge chance in making the worlds team in the 50 Back! They take the winner in the 50 at trials, and the winner in the 100. So it could very well be Gretchen Walsh and Regan Smith on that team in the event!

wow
Reply to  TeamRegan TeamRegan
2 years ago

While that would be awesome for her, I hope she still really focuses on her 100 Freestyle LCM potential as well. We need it for the relay badly.

Coach
Reply to  TeamRegan TeamRegan
2 years ago

You make a very good point, but we’re not even sure when the next Worlds will be.

Last edited 2 years ago by Coach
TeamRegan TeamRegan
Reply to  Coach
2 years ago

I think it’s really just speculation. Lots of countries are hitting their peak with covid around now, and I think we will have a worlds (and if not, we will have some sort of huge event either nationally or internationally). Also most swimmers are vaccinated at this point, so I wouldn’t say it is a huge concern

Team Regan Team Regan
Reply to  Braden Keith
2 years ago

Really trying to stay positive here

Swimfan
Reply to  TeamRegan TeamRegan
2 years ago

Baker, smoligia, white and curzan are all really good as well…

Paul
2 years ago

UVA women are amazing! UVA men… not so much. For all he promotes himself with his own hashtag #thedesorboeffect, the men’s program can’t compete. NC State moved to exhibition against them…

PFA
2 years ago

Wow an unsuited American record! That’s mad especially for a freshman. I haven’t processed that yet

About Braden Keith

Braden Keith

Braden Keith is the Editor-in-Chief and a co-founder/co-owner of SwimSwam.com. He first got his feet wet by building The Swimmers' Circle beginning in January 2010, and now comes to SwimSwam to use that experience and help build a new leader in the sport of swimming. Aside from his life on the InterWet, …

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