Gretchen Walsh, a two-time Olympic silver medalist was the youngest ever swimmer to compete at the U.S. Olympic Trials in 2016, having been born on January 29, 2003. In June, Walsh broke the world record in the women's 100-meter butterfly during the 2024 U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials, finishing in 55.18 seconds. She already beat Sarah Sjostrom's record of 55.48 seconds set during the event's semi-finals, clocking in at 55.38 seconds.
The Tennessean went to the University of Virginia (UVA) and has won 18 NCAA championships and 21 All-ACC awards. She won a silver medal in the women's 100m butterfly event at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Another silver medal was won at the women's 4x100 freestyle relay at the same event in 03:30.20, which is also an American record.
What records does Gretchen Walsh hold?
Gretchen Walsh most recently competed in the women's 4x100 freestyle relay at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, where she also took home a silver medal for setting an American record (the national record) with a time of 03:30.20. At the 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials, she also broke the world record in the women's 100-meter butterfly, finishing in 55.18 seconds.
Walsh competed for the United States on relay teams that established world junior records in the 4x100-meter mixed relay and 4x100-meter mixed freestyle relay at the 2019 World Junior Championships in Budapest, Hungary.
According to the NBC Olympics, Walsh holds eight national records, two of which are in the 100-yard backstroke and 50-yard freestyle events. The remaining five records are for relay events. She also holds three NCAA records in the 100-yard freestyle, 50-yard freestyle and 100-yard butterfly. Moreover, she has been part of several NCAA record-setting relay teams.
Also Read: Where Is Gretchen Walsh From?
World Record
| Event | Time | Meet | Date | Age |
| 100 m butterfly | 55.18 | 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials | June 15, 2024 | 21 |
World Record (Junior Level)
| Event | Time | Meet | Date | Age |
| 4x100 m mixed medley relay | 3:44.84 | 2019 World Junior Championships | August 21, 2019 | 16 |
| 4x100 m mixed freestyle relay | 3:25.92 | 2019 World Junior Championships | August 22, 2019 | 16 |
National Record 25 yd Pool (SC)
| Event | Time | Meet | Date | Status |
| 4×50 yd freestyle relay | 1:24.47 | 2022 Atlantic Coast Conference Championships | February 16, 2022 | Former |
| 4×50 yd medley relay | 1:31.81 | 2022 Atlantic Coast Conference Championships | February 17, 2022 | Former |
| 4×100 yd medley relay | 3:22.34 | 2022 Atlantic Coast Conference Championships | February 18, 2022 | Current |
| 4×100 yd medley relay (2) | 3:22.34 | 2022 NCAA Championships | March 18, 2022 | Current |
| 4×100 yd freestyle relay | 3:06.91 | 2022 NCAA Championships | March 19, 2022 | Former |
| 4×50 yd medley relay (2) | 1:31.73 | 2023 Atlantic Coast Conference Championships | February 14, 2023 | Former |
| 4×50 yd freestyle relay (2) | 1:23.87 | 2023 Atlantic Coast Conference Championships | February 15, 2023 | Current |
| 50 yd freestyle | 20.83 | 2023 Atlantic Coast Conference Championships | February 15, 2023 | Current |
| 4×100 yd medley relay (3) | 3:21.80 | 2023 Atlantic Coast Conference Championships | February 17, 2023 | Current |
| 4×100 yd freestyle relay (2) | 3:06.83 | 2023 Atlantic Coast Conference Championships | February 18, 2023 | Former |
| 4×50 yd medley relay (3) | 1:31.51 | 2023 NCAA Championships | March 15, 2023 | Current |
| 100 yd backstroke | 48.26 | 2023 NCAA Championships | March 17, 2023 | Current |
| 4×100 yd freestyle relay (3) | 3:05.84 | 2023 NCAA Championships | March 18, 2023 | Current |
Also Read: Gretchen Walsh's parents
Gretchen Walsh’s Medals
Gretchen Walsh has a total of 17 medals, including two at the Olympics, three at the World Championships, six at the World Junior Swimming Championships, and six at the Pan Pacific Junior Championships, as of July 2024, according to the World Aquatics (FINA).
| Events | Gold | Silver | Bronze | Total |
| Olympic Games | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| World Championships | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| World Junior Swimming Championships | 6 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| Pan Pacific Junior Championships | 5 | 1 | 0 | 6 |
| NCAA Championships | 18 | 3 | 0 | 21 |
FAQ's On Gretchen Walsh’s Records
A. Excluding Gretchen Walsh's NCAA and national high school records, she has a total of five records as per the World Aquatics (FINA) as of July 2024.
A. Alex Walsh is a year and a half older than Gretchen Walsh.
A. Gretchen Walsh is 21 years old as of July 2024. She was born on January 29, 2003.
A. No, Alex and Gretchen Walsh are not twins but were born in a gap of one and a half years.
A. Gretchen Walsh was born in Nashville, Tennessee, in the United States.
