Olympic Medalist Alex Walsh Reveals Her New NCAA Event Lineup

2020 Olympic medalist Alex Walsh is coming into NCAAs as the 200 IM defending champ. Along with the 200 IM, she also swam 200 free and 200 breast last year. Is she swimming the same events this year at ACCs and NCAAs?  No she is not.

When we spoke with Alex, World Championships was still postponed. Of course they are back on now. I didn’t cut the question or Alex’s answer because she said something I’m hearing a lot from elite swimmers. Many were okay with the idea of a light summer. After shouldering the pandemic and an Olympic Games, elites seem to welcome a year with no big event, a World Champs. Alex added more details to this thought-process, which makes a lot of sense.

Right now Alex is all-in on ACC and NCAA Championships, so it’s time to play the game.

NCAA – Alex Walsh Predictions

200 IM? Alex pops at NCAAs, wining the 200 IM in American record time, 1:50.5.

400 IM? I see Alex touching the wall in 3:56, closing in on Ella Eastin’s legendary 3:54.

200 fly? She’ll get top 3, but I can’t predict more than that…

But who cares what I think? What do you think? Drop your opinion in the comments.

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Opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the interviewed guests do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs, and viewpoints of the hosts, SwimSwam Partners, LLC and/or SwimSwam advertising partners.

This is a Gold Medal Media production presented by SwimOutlet.com. Host Gold Medal Mel Stewart is a 3-time Olympic medalist and the co-founder of SwimSwam.com, a Swimming News website.

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Jay
2 years ago

Great interview!

Katie
2 years ago

The format for these interviews is so awkward…

moonlight
2 years ago

Walsh swimming the 400 IM is very interesting. I wonder if the grand plan is to translate that into LC and go for the 200/400 IM double in Paris. Try to follow in the footsteps of Klochkova, Rice, Ye, Hosszu, and Ohashi. It’s been several decades since an American woman has won the Olympic IMs.

swimfast
Reply to  moonlight
2 years ago

She certainly has as much versatility to her events as Caulkins did – perhaps a sign that the next great American IM champion to succeed her legacy has finally come!

Team Regan
2 years ago

3rd: 200 Fly (1:51.89)
1st :200 IM (1:50.49)
2nd: 400 IM (3:58.85)

I think Carter and Smith are ahead in the 200 FLY (Carter, Smith, Walsh). 200 IM is her’s (Walsh, Douglass, Hartman). 400 IM is Weyant’s, but it’s close (Weyant, Walsh, Forde).

Greg
Reply to  Team Regan
2 years ago

I like your IM time predictions but I think she wins both of them as well as the fly (151.0). She is the most talented and best pure swimmer in the 200 fly – l think that wins out over anything else.

Sue Knows Fly
Reply to  Greg
2 years ago

Where did this come from? “…most talented and best pure swimmer in the 200 Fly”??? Since when? This has never remotely been the case. Alex is GREAT. No doubt. But nothing supports this statement. Over Carter AND Smith? Smith is 2nd all time to Ella short course and won silver in the 200 Fly in Tokyo.

Swimfan
Reply to  Sue Knows Fly
2 years ago

But she goes to uva

tea rex
2 years ago

I love how she basically took her weakest event outside distance free, then said “I’m going to train to swim that at NCAAs”

coachymccoachface
Reply to  tea rex
2 years ago

Seems very team first tbh

wow
2 years ago

If I was her, which I’m obviously not – At ACCs I’d go 200 IM – 100 BR – 200 BR, and at NCAAs go 200 IM – 400 IM – 200 BR or 200 FL based on how breaststroke felt at ACCs. I think 200 FL is the smarter team choice because UVAs got several other great 200 BR scorers especially if Doug swims it. I do, however, think that she has a big drop in her in the 200 BR.

Greg
Reply to  wow
2 years ago

I agree with you but at ACCs I think it will be 200 free over the 100 breast. She just did the 100 br at the cavalier invite, which is a clue that she won’t be doing it at ACCs.

PhillyMark
2 years ago

You can get the sense of the emotional roller-coaster these athletes are experiencing. Prepping for WC’s then thinking about a nice summer vacation then right back into WC prep-mode…all the while conf Champs and NCAA and then trials right around corner

Gold Medal Mel
Reply to  PhillyMark
2 years ago

…makes me wonder if WCs will be soft, fewer name elites…..which is 100% fine by me. New talent always steps up when given the opportunity to shine…. And if big stars take the break, could be a smart move with the quick 2-year ramp to the 2024 O GAMES.

100% commitment
Reply to  Gold Medal Mel
2 years ago

There is no elite swimmer, who goes to WCs to cruise or have fun. Swimming is a grind and not for soft people. Either you give your 100% or you retire.

If you want to enjoy a sport, you can go play soccer with Lionel Messi.

Gold Medal Mel
Reply to  100% commitment
2 years ago

I think pros – great swimmers – know when to keep their powder dry. Knowing when to hit it hard is difference between good and great.

coachymccoachface
Reply to  Gold Medal Mel
2 years ago

Maybe advantage goes to NCAA swimmers who still had this season to train for instead of mindlessly training for an unknown meet or ISL

Snarkier
2 years ago

That’s a pretty smart lineup. She’s shown she can put up a really fast 400 IM and 200 fly.

About Gold Medal Mel Stewart

Gold Medal Mel Stewart

MEL STEWART Jr., aka Gold Medal Mel, won three Olympic medals at the 1992 Olympic Games. Mel's best event was the 200 butterfly. He is a former World, American, and NCAA Record holder in the 200 butterfly. As a writer/producer and sports columnist, Mel has contributed to Yahoo Sports, Universal Sports, …

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