Her career is just getting started, but Gretchen Walsh already has no shortage of accomplishments in the water. The international winner, NCAA champion, and world record holder will be looking to add “gold medalist” to the list when she lands in Paris for her Olympic debut.

Read here to get to know about the U.S. swimmer before you see her in Paris.

Career bio

How many Olympics has Gretchen Walsh been to?

The Paris Games will be Gretchen Walsh’s Olympic debut. She competed at the 2020 U.S. Olympic Trials and nearly made the Team USA roster, placing fifth overall in the 50m freestyle. She also competed in the 100m butterfly and 100m freestyle.

What medals has Gretchen Walsh won?

When Gretchen Walsh was 15 years old, she took home five gold medals at the 2018 Junior Pan-Pacific Swimming Championships. One year later at the 2019 FINA World Junior Swimming Championships, Gretchen was unstoppable, winning gold medals in all six events in which she competed. At the 2023 World Aquatics Championships, Gretchen won the gold medal in the 4x100m medley relay, silver in the 4x100m freestyle relay, and bronze in the 50m freestyle. 

What world records does Gretchen Walsh hold?

Gretchen Walsh holds the world record in the 100m butterfly with a time of 55.18 seconds. She just added this notch to her belt, setting this world record back in June at the 2024 U.S. Olympic Swimming Team Trials at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana. She was also part of the U.S. relay teams that currently hold the world junior records in the 4x100m mixed relay and the 4x100m mixed freestyle relay, which were set at the 2019 World Junior Championships in Budapest, Hungary. 

What national records does Gretchen Walsh hold?

Gretchen Walsh currently holds eight national records, including in the 50 yard freestyle and the 100 yard backstroke. The other five records are in relay competition. 

How did Gretchen Walsh do at the 2023 World Aquatics Championships?

Gretchen Walsh had a strong showing at the 2024 World Aquatics Championships in Fukuoka, Japan, contributing to a gold-medal finish for her team in the 4x100m medley relay. She also earned a silver medal in the 4x100m freestyle relay and a bronze medal in the 50m butterfly.

How many NCAA records does Gretchen Walsh have?

Walsh holds NCAA records in the 50 yard freestyle, the 100 yard freestyle, and the 100 yard butterfly. She has also been a part of various NCAA-record setting relay teams throughout her collegiate career

How many NCAA Championships has Gretchen Walsh won?

Choosing the University of Virginia has served Gretchen Walsh well, as she has helped them win three straight national championships during her time there under coach Todd DeSorbo. This past season, Walsh captured the 2024 NCAA title in the 100 yard freestyle with a time of 44.83 seconds, the first time a woman ever broke 45 seconds in the event. She also won the 100 yard butterfly at the 2024 NCAA Championships, clocking in at 47.42 seconds, making her the first woman to break 48 seconds in the event. She added a win in the 50yd butterfly as well, giving her three individual NCAA titles for the 2023-24 season.

Road to Paris

What events has Gretchen Walsh won in 2024?

In addition to her victories this year at the NCAA Championships and the U.S. Olympic Trials, Gretchen Walsh earned a first-place finish in the 100m butterfly at the 2024 TYR Pro Series Tennessee back in April. 

How did Gretchen Walsh do at the 2024 U.S. Olympic Swimming Team Trials?

Gretchen Walsh had a terrific performance at the 2024 U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials, winning the women’s 100m butterfly and setting a new world record in the event, as well as placing second in the 50m freestyle and third in the 100m freestyle. 

Will Gretchen Walsh compete at the 2024 Paris Olympics?

Yes, Gretchen Walsh qualified for the 2024 Paris Olympics and will represent the United States in four events: the 50m freestyle, 100m freestyle, 100m butterfly, and 4x100m freestyle relay. 

What world record did Gretchen Walsh set at the 2024 U.S. Olympic Swimming Team Trials?

Gretchen Walsh set the world record for the 100m butterfly with a time of 55.18 seconds at the 2024 U.S. Olympic Swimming Team Trials in Indianapolis, Indiana.

 

What NCAA records did Gretchen Walsh set in 2024?

This season, Gretchen Walsh set the records for the 50 yard freestyle, 100 yard freestyle, and the 100 yard butterfly at the NCAA Championships, winning the individual title in all three events.