Gretchen is an accomplished American swimmer with four Olympic medals, three world records, and eleven NCAA championships from her career at the University of Virginia. At the Paris 2024 Olympics, Gretchen earned two gold medals, both of which were world records, in the 4x100m medley relay and the mixed 4x100m medley relay, as well as two silver medals in the 100m butterfly and the 4x100m freestyle relay. She is a 2023 world champion in the 400 medley relay and a two-time Junior World Champion. A finalist at the 2020 Olympic Trials, Gretchen holds the NCAA record in the 100-yard freestyle and the American record in the 50-yard freestyle. Renowned for her dynamic starts and powerful finishes, she remains a formidable presence in competitive swimming.
Gretchen Walsh is an acclaimed American swimmer, celebrated for her exceptional speed, versatility, and numerous accolades in the pool. Most recently, Gretchen became a four-time Olympic medalist – racking up two gold medals in the 4x100m medley relay and the mixed 4x100m medley relay, and two silver medals in the 100m butterfly and the 4x100m freestyle relay. Not to mention, Gretchen contributed to the world records set by said mixed 4x100m medley relay team and women’s 4x100m medley relay team, and the American record set by said 4x100m free relay. If that wasn’t enough for Gretchen, she came out of the Games as the Olympic record holder in the 100m butterfly. Additionally, she is an eleven-time NCAA Champion for the University of Virginia, Gretchen has dominated collegiate swimming, securing titles in the 100 freestyle, 100 backstroke, and multiple relay events. As a Cavalier, Gretchen has set two world records in the 100m butterfly and the 4x100m medley relay, the NCAA record in the 100-yard freestyle, and the American record in the 50-yard freestyle. In 2023, she won the gold medal in the 400m medley relay at the World Championships, adding to her impressive list of achievements, which includes being a two-time Junior World Champion and a finalist at the 2020 Olympic Trials.
Beyond her individual achievements, Gretchen is known for her dynamic starts and powerful finishes, making her a formidable competitor in every race. Her dedication to the sport and relentless pursuit of excellence have earned her recognition and respect within the swimming community. Representing the United States in various international competitions, she continues to inspire aspiring swimmers with her exceptional performances and unwavering commitment to the sport. Gretchen Walsh remains a key figure in competitive swimming, consistently pushing the boundaries of what is possible in the pool.
Gretchen Walsh was born on January 16, 2003, in Nashville, Tennessee, where her journey to becoming a world-class swimmer began. From an early age, she displayed exceptional talent and dedication, quickly making a name for herself in the competitive swimming world. As a young athlete, she became a two-time Junior World Champion, setting the stage for her future achievements. Her early successes laid a strong foundation, showcasing her natural ability and competitive spirit, and shaping her into the remarkable swimmer she is today.
Gretchen's rise in the swimming world was closely tied to her sister, Alex Walsh, who is also a standout swimmer. Together, the Walsh sisters pushed each other to excel, creating a supportive and competitive environment that fueled their growth. Alex's achievements and their shared experiences in training and competitions played a significant role in Gretchen's development. This sibling rivalry and camaraderie not only honed her skills but also highlighted the remarkable talent within the Walsh family, making them both key figures in the sport.
During her high school years at Harpeth Hall in Nashville, Tennessee, Gretchen Walsh emerged as a swimming sensation, breaking records and earning numerous accolades. She set national high school records in the 50-yard freestyle and 100-yard freestyle, showcasing her incredible speed and technique. Gretchen's dominance in the pool was evident as she won multiple state championships, consistently outperforming her competitors. Her remarkable achievements in high school laid the groundwork for her future success at the collegiate and international levels.
One of the most notable moments of Gretchen's high school career was her record-breaking swim in the 50-yard freestyle, where she posted a time of 21.59 seconds, a national high school record. Additionally, she played a crucial role in leading her high school team to state championships, contributing to their relay victories and overall team success. Gretchen's high school years were marked by her relentless pursuit of excellence, setting the stage for her continued dominance in the swimming world and earning her recognition as one of the top young swimmers in the nation.
Gretchen Walsh has had an outstanding collegiate swimming career at the University of Virginia, where she has become an eleven-time NCAA Champion. Her achievements include titles in the 100 freestyle, 100 backstroke, 200 freestyle relay, 400 freestyle relay, 200 medley relay, and 400 medley relay. Notably, she set the NCAA record in the 100-yard freestyle and the American record in the 50-yard freestyle, underscoring her incredible speed and competitive edge. Gretchen's dominance in collegiate swimming has not only contributed to her individual accolades but also to the success of her team, making her one of the most decorated swimmers in NCAA history.
Gretchen has made a significant impact on the national swimming stage with her remarkable performances and numerous accolades. At the 2020 U.S. Olympic Trials, she was a finalist, showcasing her talent among the nation’s best swimmers. In 2023, she clinched a gold medal at the World Championships as part of the 400 medley relay team, a testament to her exceptional abilities and contributions to Team USA. At the 2024 Olympic Trials, she made history by swimming the 100-meter butterfly in a world-record time of 55.18 seconds during a Saturday semi final heat, earning her recognition and respect from the international swimming community. Gretchen then went on to do a phenomenal job at her first Olympics, earning four medals and two world records. She helped Team USA dominate in three relays and tallied an individual medal in the 100m butterfly. Gretchen’s achievements demonstrate her dedication, relentless pursuit of excellence, and her role as a key competition in the sport’s global arena.
In her first Olympic Games, Gretchen demonstrated her dominance in the 100m butterfly, mixed 4x100m medley relay, women’s 4x100m medley relay, and the women’s 4x100m freestyle relay. Gretchen competed in Paris with her name already etched into the history books as she is the first woman in swimming history to break the 48 second mark in the 100 fly, the 45 second mark in the 100 free, and the 25 second mark in the 50 free. At the end of the Games, Gretchen came back to the States with four Olympic medals (2 gold, 2 silver), two world records (women’s 4x100m medley relay, mixed 4x100m medley relay), an American record (women’s 4x100m free relay), and an individual Olympic record (100m butterfly). Follow Gretchen’s incredible Olympic journey as she further exhibited her dominance in the pool and cemented her name in history.
VISIT EVENT PAGE ⇒Gretchen's performance at the U.S. Olympic Swim Team Trials was nothing short of extraordinary. Not only did she qualify in three events, but on the very first night of competition she broke the world record in the 100 butterfly, clocking in at 55.18 seconds. Gretchen continued to impress as she qualified individually in the 100m butterfly and the 50m freestyle, as well as for the 4x100m freestyle relay where she will compete alongside Kate Douglas, Torri Huske, and Simone Manuel. To top it off, her sister Alex will join her as they both head to the 2024 Paris Olympics.
WATCH RECAP ⇒In March of 2024, Gretchen completed one of the best swimming seasons in NCAA history. Representing the University of Virginia, Gretchen entered the 2024 NCAA Championships with eleven championship titles already under belt, and she left with seven more to add to her trophy case. Her talent has surely set her up for success as she prepares for the U.S. Olympic Swim Team Trials in June.
WATCH RECAP ⇒Gretchen came away from the 2024 ACC Championships with individual titles in the 100 freestyle, 100 butterfly, and 50 freestyle, as well as titles in four relay events. If that wasn't enough, Gretchen smashed the 100 butterfly NCAA record, marking 48.20 as the new time to beat. Her performances were key in UVA's conference title.
VIEW RECAP ⇒Gretchen earned her first world championship medals at the 2023 FINA World Aquatics Championships, pocketing a gold in the 4x100 medley relay, a silver in the 4x100m freestyle relay, and a bronze in the 50m butterfly. Gretchen shined on the world stage, and her skill is sure to be on full display going into the 2024 season.
VIEW RECAP ⇒