INDIANAPOLIS, In. (WRIC) — Gretchen Walsh, a rising senior at the University of Virginia (UVA), broke the world record in the women’s 100-meter butterfly event during the U.S. Olympic swimming trials.
While competing for a chance to be on the U.S. Olympic team, 21-year-old Walsh, set a new world record during the 100-meter butterfly semifinals, with a time of 55.18 seconds.
“I definitely was feeling it,” said Walsh. “I thought I was dying. I didn’t know I was going that fast and, apparently, I took it out too fast.”
The previous record was set by Swedish swimmer, Sarah Sjöström during the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics with a time of 55.48 seconds, according to The Associated Press.
“There has been a little bit of a buzz out there,” Walsh said. “I think going into tonight, like I knew it would take a (55) point-4 or I guess point-5, but I didn’t think I was going to do it tonight. I just knew I wanted to go a fast time and now here I am — a world-record holder.”
After already having set the world record, Walsh officially earned a spot on the U.S. Olympic team by winning the 100-meter butterfly event on Sunday, June 16, according to the UVA Athletics page. During the finals, she achieved a time of 55.31 seconds, which is the second fastest time ever recorded in this event.
Walsh’s UVA athletic bio says that she is a Commerce major from Nashville, Tennesse. She has won 18 NCAA Championships, 21 All-American, 16 ACC Championships and 21 All-ACC during her time at UVA.
INDIANAPOLIS, In. (WRIC) — Gretchen Walsh, a rising senior at the University of Virginia (UVA), broke the world record in the women’s 100-meter butterfly event during the U.S. Olympic swimming trials.
While competing for a chance to be on the U.S. Olympic team, 21-year-old Walsh, set a new world record during the 100-meter butterfly semifinals, with a time of 55.18 seconds.
“I definitely was feeling it,” said Walsh. “I thought I was dying. I didn’t know I was going that fast and, apparently, I took it out too fast.”
The previous record was set by Swedish swimmer, Sarah Sjöström during the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics with a time of 55.48 seconds, according to The Associated Press.
“There has been a little bit of a buzz out there,” Walsh said. “I think going into tonight, like I knew it would take a (55) point-4 or I guess point-5, but I didn’t think I was going to do it tonight. I just knew I wanted to go a fast time and now here I am — a world-record holder.”
After already having set the world record, Walsh officially earned a spot on the U.S. Olympic team by winning the 100-meter butterfly event on Sunday, June 16, according to the UVA Athletics page. During the finals, she achieved a time of 55.31 seconds, which is the second fastest time ever recorded in this event.
Walsh’s UVA athletic bio says that she is a Commerce major from Nashville, Tennesse. She has won 18 NCAA Championships, 21 All-American, 16 ACC Championships and 21 All-ACC during her time at UVA.