Gretchen Walsh Swims 46.05 100 Freestyle; #4 Performer All-Time

2022 NCAA DIVISION I WOMEN’S SWIMMING AND DIVING CHAMPIONSHIPS

• March 16-19, 2022
• McAuley Aquatic Center, Georgia Tech, Atlanta, Georgia (Eastern Daylight Time)
• Prelims 10AM /Finals 6PM
• Short Course Yards (25 yards)
• Championship Central
• Official Psych Sheets
• Live Results
• Live Video (ESPN3)

Virginia freshman Gretchen Walsh captured her first individual NCAA title tonight winning the 100 freestyle in a time of 46.05. That time places her as the #4 performer of all-time.

Walsh was the top seed coming into the meet with a time of 46.86. She swam a time of 46.78 to be the top seed heading into the final and then swam a time of 46.05. Tonight’s time also set the pool record held by Olivia Smoliga as she swam a 46.70 back in 2016.

All-Time Top 5 100 Freestyle Performers

1. Simone Manuel, 45.56, 2017
2. Erika Brown, 45.83, 2020
3. Maggie MacNeil, 46.02, 2021
4. Gretchen Walsh, 46.05, 2022
5. Mallory Comerford (2018), Anna Hopkin (2020), 46.20

Overall, Walsh moved up from being tied as the 17th fastest performer of all-time to fourth. This morning’s prelims swim moved her from 17th to 15th.

Tonight’s swim also places Walsh with the #6 performance of all-time.

All-Time Top 6 100 Freestyle Performances

1. Simone Manuel, 45.56, 2017
2. Simone Manuel, 45.65, 2018
3. Erika Brown, 45.83, 2020
4. Maggie MacNeil, 46.02, 2021/ Simone Manuel, 46.02, 2017
5. Tie
6. Gretchen Walsh, 46.05, 2022

Walsh has the potential to lead off the Virginia 400 freestyle relay later tonight.