Gretchen Walsh Breaks American, US Open, and Meet Record With 25.11 50 Butterfly

2023 U.S. NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

Day 2 Finals Heat Sheet

WOMEN’S 50 BUTTERFLY — FINALS

  • World Record: 24.43, Sarah Sjostrom (SWE) — 2014
  • American Record: 25.38, Torri Huske — 2022
  • U.S. Open Record: 25.46, Rikako Ikee (JPN) — 2017
  • Championship Record: 25.48, Kelsi Dahlia (USA) — 2018
  • World Aquatics ‘A’ Cut: 26.32
  • 2022 U.S. Trials Top 2 Time: 25.68
  • 2022 Worlds Medal Time: 25.32

Top 8:

  1. Gretchen Walsh (NAC) — 25.11 (American Record)
  2. Torri Huske (AAC) — 25.33
  3. Claire Curzan (ALTO) — 25.74
  4. Abbey Weitzeil (CAL) — 25.78
  5. Beata Nelson (WISC) — 25.95
  6. Natalie Hinds (GSC) — 26.20
  7. Oliva Bray (TXLA) — 26.33
  8. KitKat Zenick (OSU) — 26.58

Gretchen Walsh broke the American, US Open, and Meet Record Wednesday night winning the women’s 50 butterfly in a 25.11. That broke Torri Huske‘s old American record of 25.38 which she swam in semi-finals in Worlds last summer.

The swim also broke Rikako Ikee‘s US Open record of 25.46 and Kelsi Dahlia‘s meet record of 25.48.

Notably, Huske was also faster than her previous record tonight as she swam a 25.33, finishing right behind Walsh.

Walsh swam a huge personal best as well. Coming into the meet, Walsh had a personal best of 25.97 which she swam earlier this month as well as at International Team Trials last April. Last year, Walsh finished fourth in the event.

Walsh now adds the 50 butterfly to her lineup in Japan. Last night, she finished third in the 100 freestyle, booking her trip to Worlds as a relay swimmer. Now, she adds an individual event to her schedule.

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BigBoiJohnson
1 year ago

Gosh, quite rough for Torri Huske. She technically beat her American Record, but Gretchen beat it before her and by a larger margin. It was driving me up the wall that Rowdy kept mentioning the former Record and how Walsh beat it, then kept saying that Torri had a great swim too, but never once mentioned that Torri was also under her former mark.

PFA
1 year ago

Huge swim think she can go under 25 soon but I think she’s going to challenge the 50 back WR tomorrow wouldn’t shock me see her get it.

Wow
Reply to  PFA
1 year ago

I kind of wish the 50 back came before the 100 fly tomorrow, otherwise I’d agree with you

jeff
1 year ago

imagine if Gretchen and Kate are the top 2 in the 100 fly

bobthebuilderrocks
Reply to  jeff
1 year ago

tomorrow we won’t have to imagine it!

BOBFROMTHEISLAND
1 year ago

She’s always had the talent. So good to see her breaking through in a big way and she’s not done yet. Her 50 back and 50 free could be crazy.

Wow
1 year ago

Please swim the 50 back tomorrow!

eye guy
Reply to  Wow
1 year ago

Maybe her best chance at individual gold at Worlds since there is no Sjostrom

Swim2win
1 year ago

The apology better be as loud as the disrespect was.

Swimming Fan
Reply to  Swim2win
1 year ago

What is this supposed to mean?

Cougarswim
Reply to  Swim2win
1 year ago

What is this referring to?

-_-
Reply to  Swim2win
1 year ago

whatever the disrespect was it couldn’t have been that loud. what are you referring to?

bobthebuilderrocks
Reply to  -_-
1 year ago

it’s referring to the people talking about Gretchen and being a bathtub swimmer for the past four years.

Tomek
1 year ago

Once Gretchen qualified as a relay swimmer she is swimming with no fear

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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