1st Woman UNDER 45-Second In 100 Free As Gretchen Walsh Breaks NCAA/American Records in 44.83

2024 WOMEN’S NCAA SWIMMING AND DIVING CHAMPIONSHIPS

WOMEN’S 100 YARD FREESTYLE – FINALS

Top 8:

  1. Gretchen Walsh, Virginia – 44.83 *ALL RECORDS*
  2. Katharine Berkoff, NC State – 46.23
  3. Isabel Ivey, Florida – 46.67
  4. Jasmine Nocentini, Virginia – 47.00
  5. Amy Fulmer, Ohio State – 47.18
  6. Christiana Regenauer, Louisville – 47.20
  7. Anna Peplowski, Indiana – 47.31
  8. Gabi Albiero, Louisville – 47.37

History is made once again by Gretchen Walsh as she breaks her own NCAA and American records swimming a 44.83 in the 100 freestyle. Walsh broke her own record of a 45.16 that she set last month at ACCs.

Split Comparison:

2024 NCAAs 2024 ACCs
1st 50 21.40 21.42
2nd 50 23.43 23.74
Final 44.83 45.16

Walsh was off the block in a 0.73 reaction time and flipped in a 10.12 to her feet at the first 25. She was out faster at the 50 in a 21.40 compared to a 21.42 but she brought it home strong over three-tenths faster tonight than at ACCs. She notably closed in a 11.67 on her final 25 which was faster than her third 25 of a 11.76.

This is Walsh’s third NCAA and American record of the meet. She also broke her own records in the 50 free swimming a 20.37 and the 100 fly swimming a 47.42. Not only did she win the event by 1.4 seconds tonight but she also now is the fastest performer in history as Simone Manuel is the 2nd fastest performer all-time with a 45.56 from 2017 NCAAs.

Walsh now holds five of the top seven fastest performances in history as Manuel holds the other two. Walsh becomes the first woman under 45 seconds and only four women (Walsh, Manuel, Erika Brown, and Kate Douglass) have been under the 46-second mark.

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FSR
9 months ago

43 next year?

jeff
9 months ago

fun fact: Gretchen’s opening 50 time in the 100 fly plus her closing 50 in the 100 free adds up to a faster time than the 50 fly + 50 free splits on Tennessee’s 4×50 medley relay, which placed 5th overall

PFA
9 months ago

Sub 40 esque

Last edited 9 months ago by PFA
ctcoach
9 months ago

Can she do it in long course with only 1 turn?

Admin
Reply to  ctcoach
9 months ago

She can do something in long course. Guess it depends on your definition of ‘it’. I think she definitely has a 52 in her this summer.

96Swim
Reply to  ctcoach
9 months ago

Given how long and smooth her stroke looks, I don’t think she’s in any way just a short course phenom who is all about the underwaters. She might be even better in long course. Given the big time drops this year compared to last year, trials could be exciting.

Swimfan27
Reply to  96Swim
9 months ago

Agreed. I think the “short course only” thought process about Gretchen only applies to her backstroke. Even she mentioned she won’t include it long course in the lead up to trials because it’s such a different race without her underwaters. but she has proven she can compete long course in fly and free, and is improving year after year.

Chris
9 months ago

dude what a dirty swim. kudos to her

anonymous
9 months ago

best all around yards sprinter ever. absolute insanity in all of her races.

anonymous
Reply to  anonymous
9 months ago

And do not worry, I have evidence to support my claim! (I did try to post this a while earlier but I guess it didn’t go up, idk if I forgot to submit it but if it ends up duplicating then oh well). Below is a breakdown of all of her accomplishments this season, by event, and a few other things I think are notable and relevant to her being the best all around yards sprinter ever. if you cannot tell by the end of this, yes, women’s swimming is my roman empire

50 free
NCAAs – broke US Open records in prelims and finals
ACCs (untapered) – broke US Open records in prelims and finals
Mid… Read more »

Last edited 9 months ago by anonymous
Andy Hardt
Reply to  anonymous
9 months ago

This is one of the best comments I’ve ever read on this site. Love the detailed analysis, and the Roman empire aside seals the deal.

Last edited 9 months ago by Andy Hardt
JimSwim22
Reply to  Andy Hardt
9 months ago

I love the stats too. Still tend to go with Dressel as best sprinter ever. Would love to see somebody steelman his credentials.

Swimfan27
Reply to  anonymous
9 months ago

This comment is amazing, and really highlights how good Gretchen is, especially in the 100 fly. The fact that she could not only get NCAA invites in the event with her times, but make the B-final (and almost A-final) of the 100 free while swimming fly is absurd.

Swimfan27
Reply to  Swimfan27
9 months ago

Dressel surely couldn’t do that, and I can’t think of another swimmer who could. It is utterly insane to me, and I believe Gretchen is the best all-around sprinter in history in the NCAA as well.

Juan Cena
9 months ago

44.83*

EverybodyWangChungTonight
9 months ago

Legendary performance this weekend. With the likes of Marchand, Dressel and Douglass at NCAA. Absolute masterclass by Gretchen!

About Anya Pelshaw

Anya Pelshaw

Anya has been with SwimSwam since June 2021 as both a writer and social media coordinator. She was in attendance at the 2022, 2023, and 2024 Women's NCAA Championships writing and doing social media for SwimSwam. She also attended 2023 US Summer Nationals as well as the 2024 European Championships …

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