Gretchen Walsh After Record-Breaking Weekend: “I need to find new motivation”

2025 Pro Swim Series – Fort Lauderdale

Gretchen Walsh had a heck of a pro debut in Ft Lauderdale. She won all 4 of her events and went best times in all 4 of them, which included 2 world records in the 100 fly and an American record in the 50 fly.

To top it all off, coming into the meet she was on the cusp of big time barriers in all 4 of her events: 53-seconds in the 100 free, 24-seconds in the 50 free, 55-seconds in the 100 fly, and 25-seconds in the 50 fly. Over the course of the 3-day meet, Walsh dipped under 3 of those barriers, with only the sub-24 second 50 free eluding her.

Reflecting on the unexpected success of the weekend, Walsh admitted that she will now have to reset her goals for the rest of the long course season.

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Wylie
1 month ago

Part of me wonders if Gretchen could go for 8 events in 2028 with the addition of stroke 50s – 50 & 100 free, 50 & 100 fly, mixed medley, women’s 4 x 100 free, women’s 4 x 100 medley. That’s 7, she’d have to pick up one more. In NCAA, she’s the closest anybody’s been to Missy’s 200 free record & she’s also the 100 back NCAA record holder. Her turns definitely help her in short course but I wonder if 50 back would be attainable for her.

Regardless, I’m really excited to see where her pro career takes her.

Tigerswim22
1 month ago

Great swimming performances in Lauderdale! When you’re hot, you’re hot! She had fun. Her interview was positive. She seems like a really nice person.

I watched her graciously spend time talking and posing for photos with age group swimmers when she was in Austin earlier this year. They loved her! Gretchen is a terrific ambassador for UVA and for USA Swimming. She no doubt works hard at practice and races hard at meets. I’ve never seen or heard any display of poor sportsmanship from her following a loss or a disappointing performance.

Bottom line – I think she’s a great athlete and a class act. This is a challenging sport and some of the comments that are posted… Read more »

Auscott
1 month ago

Kermit the frog

Last edited 1 month ago by Auscott
J C
1 month ago

An olympic individual gold medal is what every swimmer wants.

Andrew
1 month ago

This comes across as a bit out of touch. Just a little off putting

What individual LCM gold medal has she won in the 100 fly?

WaterAce
Reply to  Andrew
1 month ago

She hasn’t won any individual gold in LCM, only SCM

MDE
Reply to  Andrew
1 month ago

In what way? You should listen more carefully. Have to read between the lines, but she is pretty clearly talking about already having accomplished her goals for the season which were time based. Her goal this season was probably to break 55 in the 100 fly.

At no point did she suggest she had accomplished everything in the sport or whatever you have inferred from it.

Last edited 1 month ago by MDE
RoadRage
Reply to  Andrew
1 month ago

You can take your “off putting” comment and shove it back in your mouth. She was gracious to share her perspective with us and you’re going to find an issue with someone who appears to be truly enjoying her journey! She hasn’t competed in an international LCM competition since the Olympics to display her progress, yet, so just chill tf out.

Eddie
1 month ago

Can we get an Alex Walsh interview!? it was her first meet as a pro and she had a crazy double with 200 BR / 200 IM

Cleo
Reply to  Eddie
1 month ago

And can we ask KD whether she plans to swim 200 IM this year?

The unoriginal Tim
1 month ago

Because the questions are cut out it feels like being bombarded with a stream of consciousness but in a good way.

Impressive person as well as being an impressive swimmer

MDE
Reply to  The unoriginal Tim
1 month ago

I don’t like removal of questions generally.

Nothing wrong here, but sometimes removing that context can change how stuff comes across.

LePatron
1 month ago

Breaking WR in a streak and swimming times beyond her expectations really boosts morale for her to adjust her bars higher in the LC.

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