Why The Virginia Women Became So Dominant In The Medley Relays

The University of Virginia women have become a dominant force in the world of college swimming, and a big part of their superiority over the rest of the NCAA stems from what they’ve been able to do in the medley relays.

The Cavaliers have not only swept the 200 and 400 medley relay at NCAAs in each of the last two seasons, but they’ve reset the U.S. Open Record in both races on multiple occasions.

After UVA got the ball rolling by setting the U.S. Open Record in the 200 medley relay at the 2021 ACC Championships in 1:32.93, becoming the first squad in history sub-1:33, they shattered that mark in 1:31.81 at ACCs the following season, and brought the record all the way down to 1:31.51 in the 2022-23 campaign.

In the 400 medley relay, the Cavs obliterated the U.S. Open Record by more than two seconds at the 2022 ACCs in a time of 3:22.34, matched that at NCAAs, and then went 3:21.80 at the 2023 conference championships.

A primary component of the team’s success is the versatility of their top three swimmers: Kate DouglassAlex Walsh and Gretchen Walsh.

200 Medley Relay

  • 2022 ACCs: G. Walsh, Wenger, Cuomo, Douglass – 1:31.81 (U.S. Open Record)
  • 2022 NCAAs: G. Walsh, Wenger, Cuomo, Douglass – 1:32.16
  • 2023 ACCs: G. Walsh, A. Walsh, Cuomo, Douglass – 1:31.73 (U.S. Open Record)
  • 2023 NCAAs: G. Walsh, A. Walsh, Cuomo, Douglass – 1:31.51 (U.S. Open Record)

400 Medley Relay

  • 2022 ACCs: G. Walsh, Wenger, A. Walsh, Douglass – 3:22.34 (U.S. Open Record)
  • 2022 NCAAs: G. Walsh, Wenger, A. Walsh, Douglass – 3:22.34 (=U.S. Open Record)
  • 2023 ACCs: G. Walsh, A. Walsh, Douglass, Canny – 3:21.80 (U.S. Open Record)
  • 2023 NCAAs: G. Walsh, A. Walsh, Douglass, Canny – 3:22.39

Alex Walsh swam the fly leg on the 400 medley relay in 2022, but when Alexis Wenger graduated, she was able to seamlessly fill in on breaststroke. Douglass has primarily served as the freestyler on the medley relays, but when she was needed on butterfly duties, she was able to slide in easily (as the U.S. Open Record holder in the 100 fly) and help propel the squad to the fastest time ever.

The team was able to lean on Aimee Canny to swim the anchor leg on the 400 medley relay this past season, while Lexi Cuomo has played a key role swimming fly on the 200 medley throughout her career

A. Walsh also took over for Wenger on the 200 medley relay in 2023, providing some quick breast legs, and while Gretchen Walsh has slotted in on backstroke every time out, she’s capable of taking over the free or fly leg if needed.

Watch an extended breakdown of UVA’s dominance in the medley relays below, courtesy of David Clossey:

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oxyswim
10 months ago

Kate’s so fast she left behind an S from her name

David Clossey
Reply to  oxyswim
10 months ago

I spent…so many hours editing that video, and not ONCE did I notice that typo.

It looks even worse because I copy and pasted the same text layer for each time her name appears in that section so the same typo appears in ALL of them.

Jameson
10 months ago

Having national teamers and Olympians certainly helps!

Awsi Dooger
10 months ago

Fast swimmers

Grant Drukker
10 months ago

Because they got the #1 recruit 3 years in a row? Don’t think this is rocket science.

NoMorePancakes
Reply to  Grant Drukker
10 months ago

Huske was ranked ahead of G. Walsh
Smith was ranked ahead of A. Walsh
Ivy was ranked ahead of Douglass before she graduated early. But yeah, I get your point.

jeff
Reply to  NoMorePancakes
10 months ago

yeah its honestly not just how good they were coming into college, but how much they still improved. Ivey came into the 2019-2020 season a better swimmer than Douglass and has been very good for all 4 years and yet still doesn’t compare to Douglass’ performance over the last couple years, Alex I think is clearly better in SCY than Regan is now, and Gretchen has simply transcended into a new realm of sprinting- 20.83 in the 50 free, 22.65 in the 50 back, 45.61 in the 100 free, 48.26 in the 100 back, and 49.34 in the 100 fly legitimately makes her the best female sprinter ever

tea rex
10 months ago

Hard to imagine they can be faster next year BUT –
Nocentini has split 25.7 breaststroke, compared to A Walsh’s 26.2.
A Walsh swam a PR of 50.6 in the 100 fly last season… taking out her 200 fly.

wow
Reply to  tea rex
10 months ago

The 50.6 was a touchpad error. It was 51.3.

Ervin
Reply to  wow
10 months ago

She split 49 in the 400 medley relay last year

Swimgeek
Reply to  tea rex
10 months ago

I hear you – but there’s no replacing Douglass 20.4 in free leg

HOO love
10 months ago

Truly amazing 🙌🏼

Coach MM
10 months ago

Maybe because they have the 50free, 100back, 100fly, 200breast national record holders and a 400IM Olympic medalist all in the same relay.

Noah
Reply to  Coach MM
10 months ago

Right…feel like this didnt need a deep dive and i love uva

RealSlimThomas
Reply to  Coach MM
10 months ago

Crazy how the above statement doesn’t even factor in Alex Walsh’s accomplishments.

jeff
Reply to  RealSlimThomas
10 months ago

im assuming they meant 200 IM olympic medalist

RealSlimThomas
Reply to  jeff
10 months ago

Honestly I interpreted the 4IM as being Emma Weyant and wasn’t sure how it was relevant. Thanks.

About James Sutherland

James Sutherland

James swam five years at Laurentian University in Sudbury, Ontario, specializing in the 200 free, back and IM. He finished up his collegiate swimming career in 2018, graduating with a bachelor's degree in economics. In 2019 he completed his graduate degree in sports journalism. Prior to going to Laurentian, James swam …

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