Olympic Trials finalist Kaelyn Gridley has announced her retirement from competitive swimming after the completion of her collegiate career at Duke.
Gridley announced the end of her swimming career in a social media post that read:
“Officially a swammer. I couldn’t have asked for a better 16 years. So incredibly grateful for the friends I’ve made, the coaches who’ve believed in me, and my family for being my biggest cheerleaders. The people this sport have brought me are forever etched on my heart ❤️”
Gridley’s last NCAA Championship meet might have been her best. She finished 9th in the 100 breaststroke and 3rd in the 200 breaststroke. That 200 breast is the highest individual finish at an NCAA Championship meet in her career, though neither was a best time.
NCAA Scoring By Year (Individual)
- Freshman (2023): 20 points
- 200 breast – 6th (2:06.26)
- 100 breast – 10th (58.76)
- Sophomore (2024): 15 points
- 200 breast – 4th (2:04.94)
- 100 breast – 17th (59.28)
- Junior (2025): 26 points
- 200 breast – 4th (2:05.91)
- 100 breast – 8th (58.30)
- Senior (2026): 25 points
- 200 breast – 3rd (2:05.24)
- 100 breast – 9th (58.22)
Gridley was also the 2025 ACC Champion in the 100 breaststroke. Her career best times in yards are 58.73 in the 100, done at ACCs this year, and 2:04.94 in the 200, done at her sophomore NCAA Championship meet.
Gridley was a crucial part of the Blue Devils’ rise to a consistent top 20 team in the country. She had already been 2:08.30 in the 200 breast when she committed, and her times took off during her first year in Durham.
Gridley was a member of the 2024-2025 National Team after she finished 5th in both the 100 and 200 meter breaststrokes at the 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials. She went lifetime bests in earlier rounds of both events.
Gridley skipped the 2025 long course season and didn’t officially compete between the 2025 NCAA Championships and the kickoff of Duke’s 2025-2026 season.
Gridley’s Best Times, Long Course Meters
- 100 breast – 1:06.67
- 200 breast – 2:25.82
With the retirement of Lilly King, the United States has a bit of a void in the women’s breaststrokes. The versatile Kate Douglass is the top American in both events headed toward the Los Angeles 2028 Games, but among active swimmers, Gridley would rank 4th in the 100 breast and 3rd in the 200 breaststroke.
US Rankings, Active Swimmers, Women’s 100 LCM Breaststroke, 2024-Present
- Kate Douglass – 1:05.27 (2025)
- Emma Weber – 1:06.10 (2024)
- Alex Walsh – 1:06.50 (2025)
- Kaelyn Gridley – 1:06.67 (2026)
US Rankings, Active Swimmers, Women’s 200 LCM Breaststroke, 2024-Present
- Kate Douglass – 2:18.50 (2025)
- Alex Walsh – 2:22.38 (2024)
- Kaelyn Gridley – 2:25.82 (2024)
Gridley is a native of Winetka, Illinois, and is working on a degree in mechanical engineering with a minor in economics at Duke. She is a student mentor for the Society of Women Engineers at Duke, worked as an Operations Intern in Chicago last year for medtech firm Abbott, and has worked as a Teaching Assistant at Duke since August.
Very impressive. I am so inspired by the young people who can reach the highest levels of achievement both academically and athletically.
I think we can assume Dobler is retired.
You’re right. Updated.
Even more impressive – she had this swimming success while studying mechanical engineering. Amazing!
Great career! Congratulations and best of luck in all your future endeavors! 4x 200 breast A finals is legit!
Icon!
Is Dobler still competing?
Great career!