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Gretchen Walsh Ties for 8th in the 100 Free Prelims – But There’s a Catch

Braden Keith
by Braden Keith 13

November 17th, 2023 ACC, College, News

2023 TENNESSEE INVITATIONAL

Gretchen Walsh, the second-fastest swimmer ever in the short course yards 100 free, finished tied for 8th in the 100 long course meters freestyle on Friday at the Tennessee Invitational.

That in itself would be a disappointing swim, relative to her personal best of 53.14…if she had actually swum freestyle.

But in actuality, the Virginia junior swam the race butterfly, posting a 57.08 to tie with Alabama’s Kailyn Winter (who swam freestyle).

The swim-off isn’t going to happen, though, because Walsh’s teammate Aimee Canny is scratching the final, meaning that both Winter and Walsh will swim in the A heat.

According to Virginia associate head coach Tyler Fenwick, Walsh plans to swim fly again in the final, albeit in yards.

The swap of events allowed Walsh to swim the 200 free, not a traditional event for her, on Thursday without having to swim two individual events in the same session. The result was best times in both long course (2:01.17) and short course (1:41.32).

Walsh’s 57.09, then, goes from an “oops” to arguably the best long course performance of the Tennessee Invite so far. Her personal best is a 56.34 from US Trials in June; this is the 3rd-fastest time of her career so far.

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Swammer22
1 year ago

If she swims fly during free, does the 15 meter rule still apply?

Noah
Reply to  Swammer22
1 year ago

Applies everywhere but breastroke

Freddie
Reply to  Swammer22
1 year ago

Which 15m rule, the fly 15m rule or the free 15m rule?

Monica
1 year ago

JC just swim events like everybody else. The inability to work within the same framework as the rest of the swim population is interesting.

SoSpecial
Reply to  Monica
1 year ago

IKR!!!

PK Doesn't Like His Long Name
1 year ago

So if she goes 48.whatever tonight, does it count as a record? I assume not, but don’t know for sure.

VA Steve
Reply to  PK Doesn't Like His Long Name
1 year ago

She could technically break the FR record swimming FL but not the FL record swimming in a FR event.

tea rex
1 year ago

I still think Manuel’s record is in play…

Chris
1 year ago

She wont break Kate’s record but I see a 48 high.

ArtVanDeLegh10
Reply to  Chris
1 year ago

She went 20.9, 22.5, and 49.0 or 49.1 (I can’t remember) in a dual meet.

So far she’s dropped in a little in the 50 to 20.79 and added 0.4 in the back. So who knows what she’ll go in the fly tonight.

VA Steve
1 year ago

Popcorn tonight!

stefe
Reply to  VA Steve
1 year ago

SPW – Yawn

Andrew
1 year ago

she needs to be stopped.

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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