WATCH: Gretchen Walsh Clocks 21.91 50 Fly Split, Fastest-Ever In History

by Robert Gibbs 16

October 22nd, 2022 ACC, College

VIRGINIA VS. FLORIDA

If there’s one trend we’ve seen accelerating over the last few years of college swimming, it’s that some teams and swimmer don’t need tech suits or taper to drop some jaw-dropping times.

The Virginia Cavalier women have been on the vanguard of that trend, and today Gretchen Walsh popped the fastest 50 yard fly split ever as Virginia hosted Florida in a dual meet in Charlottesville.

Walsh’s time of 21.91, apparently done in a practice suit, surpasses her teammate Kate Douglass‘ 21.95 split from nearly two years ago as the fastest split of all-time.

Top 10 All-Time Butterfly Splits, Women’s 200 Yard Medley Relay:

  1. Gretchen Walsh, Virginia – 21.91
  2. Kate Douglass, Virginia – 21.95
  3. Kelsi Dahlia, Louisville – 21.96
  4. Alyssa Marsh, Duke – 22.05
  5. Kelsi Dahlia, Louisville – 22.07
  6. Olivia Bray, Texas – 22.17
  7. Kelsi Dahlia, Louisville – 22.21
  8. Louise Hansson, USC – 22.23
  9. Morgan Scott, Alabama – 22.26
  10. Hellen Moffitt, UNC / Maggie MacNeil, LSU (x2) – 22.29

The Cavaliers have some historic versatility, and they flexed that mix of versatility and top-end speed on their 200 medley relays this morning. Walsh, who had the fastest 50 back time ever in yards for about a month last year, jumped onto the fly leg, while Douglass led off Virginia’s ‘A’ relay in 24.03. Even more impressive? The relay with Walsh and Douglass didn’t even win, as their ‘B’ relay touched just ahead, 1:36.34 to 1:36.37. Live results are showing some weird splits for the ‘B’ relay, but we’ll updated with full splits if they become available.

Walsh has been as fast as 22.81 on backstroke, so it seems safe to expect her to resume leadoff duties later in the season. However, not only does she now own the fastest fly split ever, and two of the top three 50 yard back times ever, but she also has produced some of the fastest freestyle splits ever, with a pair of 20.58s from last year’s ACC and NCAA Championships. Of course, in true Virginia versatile fashion, Douglass has been just a hair faster, with free splits of 20.54 and 20.55.

Watch the full race video here:

Check out the full live recap here.

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Sherry Smit
1 year ago

What was skirboll’s 50 breast?

Creek Nasty!
1 year ago

What about Kate Douglass???

Ellie
1 year ago

So, did they get the lights back on?

Patrick
1 year ago

Olivia Bray went 22.17 at the Minnesota invite last year

Canadianh2oooo
Reply to  Robert Gibbs
1 year ago

Maggie MacNeil’s been 22.2 twice this year unsuited

SCCOACH
1 year ago

We sure the times are legit? Just asking because there are some wacky looking splits in there with the Virginia B teams… maybe it was just that lane and not the one Gretchen was jn

edit… Desorbo confirmed the time according to the other article.

Last edited 1 year ago by SCCOACH
Swimgeek
1 year ago

🤯 wow

Connor Hogan
1 year ago

Suited?

Thomas
1 year ago

Maggie Macneal normally did back on her medley relays at Michigan right? I’m surprised to not see her top-10

Bigbluefan
Reply to  Thomas
1 year ago

She’s been 22.2 twice already this year

Go hoos
Reply to  Thomas
1 year ago

She normally swam backstroke on their relay

USA
Reply to  Thomas
1 year ago

Hasn’t she been 22.2 so far this season? That should put her up there

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