Barry Revzin contributed to this report.
After a massive American record 100-meter freestyle swim in London, Anna Moesch‘s 51.94 now gives us swim fans several hypotheticals to dwell on, such as what an All-Virginia women’s relay could potentially look like on an international stage.
For context, the current women’s 4×100 medley relay world record sits at 3:49.34, set at the World Championships last summer in Singapore by Regan Smith (57.57), Kate Douglass (1:04.27), Gretchen Walsh (54.98), and Torri Huske (52.52).
Two of those relay members are former Virginia Cavaliers who swam under head Coach Todd DeSorbo; with Moesch also a product of the Cavalier program, it raises the question: what would that relay look like?
In addition to Moesch, Douglass, and Walsh, the only spot left to fill is the backstroke; thanks to a career resurgence by Isabelle Stadden, that question mark is replaced with an exclamation point.
When taking the best flat start times from each of those four swimmers, Stadden, Douglass, Walsh, and Moesch, the time adds up to 3:49.09, faster than that near-year-old world record.
The UVA 4×100 medley relay, flat starts only:
BK: Isabelle Stadden (57.55)
BR: Kate Douglass (1:05.27)
FL: Gretchen Walsh (54.33)
FR: Anna Moesch (51.94)That sums to 3:49.09. For context, the world record (Regan Smith, Douglass, GWalsh, Torri Huske) is 3:49.34. https://t.co/DpqOhPvzY7
— Barry Revzin (@BarryRevzin) May 25, 2026
The potential 4×100 free relay is also interesting to think about, still using Moesch, Douglass and Walsh, the 4th member of the relay; likely being Claire Curzan.
The current World Record is held by the Australian team from the 2023 World Championships in Fukuoka and the foursome of Mollie O’Callaghan, Shayna Jack, Meg Harris, and Emma McKeon in 3:27.96.
Now taking the Cavalier quartet and only using their best flat start time, they are over two and a half seconds off of the World Record, but in a relay format, the times could be a touch closer to that World Standard.
| WR 4×100 Free Relay | All-UVA Relay (All Flat Starts |
| Mollie O’Callaghan (52.08) | Anna Moesch (51.91) |
| Shayna Jack (51.69) | Kate Douglass (52.56) |
| Meg Harris (52.29) | Gretchen Walsh (52.78) |
| Emma McKeon (51.90) | Claire Curzan (53.55) |
| Total Time: 3:27.96 | Total Time: 3:30.80 |
Say they swam this race at a club meet/nationals or something and they broke the record. Would it show up at cavalier aquatics or USA in the record books?
Yeah but how many gusburgers can they eat?
Beyond ridiculous. There really is no single training group historical parallel to the Virginia women. Maybe Texas was close in the Peirsol, Hansen, Crocker era. Maybe MVN club dream teams of the 1970s were close. But this stands alone.
Bonkers. Simply bonkers.
I think SPW could make a claim for having all four legs of the World Record setting 800 free relay.
But yeah…I’d give this group the edge right now on versatility.
TBH, with the emergence of Stadden in the 50/100/200 backstroke, Claire Curzan may not make an international team in the foreseeable future
Should just compare the PB relay splits for that last one to make it more comparable
1. Moesch 51.94
2. Douglass 51.79
3. Walsh 52.55
4. Curzan 52.62
=3:28.90
Not overly close but not that far
Curzan hasn’t been near that form since 2022. Kinda surprising that UVA haven’t been able to turn her freestyle around – yet.
Claire went 46.0 SCY free this past season!
some emphasis on backstroke last 2 seasons breaking 200 and close to 100 record
without Gretchen swimming, Claire taking on fly for UVA relays and individual
her freestyle will be there when needed!
But her LCM in season times are still about the same as usual.
54.40 2026
54.48 2025
54.71 2024
54.50 2023
Maybe at the next PSS stop…
She’s getting back to some of her other events now. Her sprint free and 100 fly were huge drops this year at NCAAs & ACCs. (Big drops in back, too). She hasn’t had many long course opportunities since then. Fort Lauderdale was not great, but there’s many factors that we would not know about for that. Similar to Huske this past weekend – school/finals, heavy training and probably a break after NCAAs. And Claire has always been clutch on relays.
Also, if it’s an all UVA/VA pro team, Sara Curtis is available and could see some great times at Euros. Would not be an American record, but it could be a world record, but probably they are still off the Australian superstar team.
Agreed. I’m excited to hopefully see Claire get back to form in sprint free and fly in LCM.
and with this her NCAA senior season, Claire will still have more than a year to train
with UVA pros with emphasis on LCM to prepare for LA28 trials
Go HOOS!!!!!
KD has already split a 51.9, too…
And a 51.7
I think the 4×200 would be Moesch/Mintenko/Grimes/A.Walsh right? Not as competitive as the other relays but still respectable with Gormsen, Hayes, and O’Dell in reserve if needed.
Moesch/Mintenko/O’Dell/Curzan will win the 2027 ACC 4×200 and break their own NCAA record
way too early prediction!
Those are the 4 fastest lcm. Would make finals and challenge for bronze