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Gretchen Walsh: “I think I have a pretty bright future in backstroke”

2022 NCAA DIVISION I WOMEN’S SWIMMING AND DIVING CHAMPIONSHIPS

Reported by Anne Lepesant.

WOMEN 100 YARD BACKSTROKE – FINALS

  • NCAA Record: 49.18 – Beata Nelson, Wisconsin (2019)
  • Meet Record: 49.18 – Beata Nelson, Wisconsin (2019)
  • American Record: 49.16 – Regan Smith, Riptide (2021)
  • US Open Record: 49.16 – Regan Smith, Riptide (2021)
  • Pool Record: 49.41 – Katharine Berkoff, NCSU (2022)
  • 2021 Champion: Katharine Berkoff, NC State – 49.74

Podium:

  1. Katharine Berkoff, JR NC State – 48.74
  2. Gretchen Walsh, FR Virginia – 49.00
  3. Regan Smith, FR Stanford – 49.96
  4. Rhyan White, SR Alabama – 50.34
  5. Reilly Tiltmann, FR Virginia – 50.67
  6. Grace Countie, SR North Carolina – 50.77
  7. Isabelle Stadden, SO Cal – 50.81
  8. Olivia Bray, SO Texas – 51.02

The most anticipated match-up of the night lived up to its billing as TWO swimmers came to the wall under the American record, and the person who had held it came in third behind them.

Virginia freshman Gretchen Walsh kicked it off from lane 3, flipping first at the 25 wall just ahead of Stanford freshman and American record-holder Regan Smith and defending champion Katharine Berkoff of NC State. Berkoff’s second 50 was a thing of beauty. She came home six-tenths faster than Walsh to become the first American woman to dip under the 49-second barrier with 48.74. Walsh was also under Smith’s old American record with her second-place time of 49.00. Smith finished third in 49.96.

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Some Guy
2 years ago

Bruh you got a bright NOW in backstroke

MTK
2 years ago

I’m curious to see if she can translate that backstroke speed to LC. She’s incredibly fast in SC with those kickouts, but will she be in 58.0 territory, or will she be 59+ without those walls?

Last edited 2 years ago by MTK
Awsi Dooger
2 years ago

Her length and underwaters give her a chance. It’s remarkable how much territory she can eliminate via those two aspects alone. Her reach to the wall is miles.

It’s ridiculous to think that a few months ago I thought of Summer McIntosh as solely a distance freestyler and Gretchen Walsh as sprint freestyler.

But I’m not forgetting or downplaying the variance between long course and short course. None of these Virginia swimmers are as dominant long course. They tend to stagnate late. Maggie McNeil may have been ticked last night but she’ll explode to the wall once it’s 50.

Riccardo
Reply to  Awsi Dooger
2 years ago

I would say taking 2/3 podium spots in the 200 IM at the Olympic games is success in long course. But maybe Aussies have a different measure of success.

Troyy
Reply to  Riccardo
2 years ago

I think you’ll find they’re not Australian but American.

Riccardo
Reply to  Troyy
2 years ago

“Reply to Awsi Dooger”

Troyy
Reply to  Riccardo
2 years ago

Is only Awsi Dooger allowed to reply to your comment? They’re from Florida btw but keep having your stupid dig at Australians. 🙄

Riccardo
Reply to  Troyy
2 years ago

I don’t really understand how you missed the point again. I was pointing out to Awsi Dooger that they have had tremendous success in long course but perhaps since he is Australian they have a different standard for success than medaling at the Olympics. I thought that was obvious.

Troyy
Reply to  Riccardo
2 years ago

Awsi Dooger is not Australian mate. They’re from Florida. You’re the one missing the point.

Last edited 2 years ago by Troyy
Riccardo
Reply to  Troyy
2 years ago

Also the Walsh’s grew up in New York/Connecticut and then Nashville while Douglass is from New York/Connecticut – not sure where you got Florida.

Troyy
Reply to  Riccardo
2 years ago

Awsi Dooger is the one from Florida. 🙄

Last edited 2 years ago by Troyy
boknows34
Reply to  Troyy
2 years ago

You used the plural “They’re from Florida” and “They’re not Australian” implying you were talking about Walsh and Douglas, not Awsi Dooger.

I have no idea where Awsi is from and you might be right he’s from Florida, but your first comment and response to Riccardo does look like you thought he was referring to Douglas and Walsh as Aussies, which is not how I read it. I can understand why Riccardo was confused.

Troyy
Reply to  boknows34
2 years ago

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Singular_they

Everyone who frequents this site knows Douglass and Walsh are American.

Sub13
Reply to  boknows34
2 years ago

This is so stupid.

The comment was literally talking about the nationality of Awsi Dooger and saying s/he is Australian. How could a response saying “they’re not from Australia” possibly be thought to be about Walsh?

That’s brain numbing comprehension skills there.

boknows34
Reply to  Sub13
2 years ago

Riccardo’s Aussie comment was referring to Awsi and Troyy’s direct reply to that comment was about Walsh/Douglass being American. Yes, this is a swimming site and everyone (should) know that Walsh and Douglass are American, but the way I was taught English was to avoid being ambiguous and never make assumptions. Make it crystal clear and be concise who exactly you are referring to and Troyy’s comment was certainly ambiguous.

And just FYI, I’m both extremely OCD and autistic and I know I look at things from a different perspective and angle to others. It’s like when someone is giving me directions when I’m driving. “Can you stop over there” just makes my blood boil. Where? here? 50 yards… Read more »

boknows34
Reply to  boknows34
2 years ago

Edit and correction:

“Riccardo’s Aussie comment was referring to Awsi and Troyy’s direct reply to that comment was about Walsh/Douglass being American”

That is how Riccardo and I have interpreted it because Riccardo had also mentioned 2/3 Virginia swimmers finishing on the Tokyo podium in his first comment.

Someone proofreading Troyy’s reply – “I think you’ll find they’re not Australian but American.” – who didn’t know much about swimming would be unsure who exactly he was referring to. That would’ve been definitely redlined by my teacher at school.

“I think you’ll find Awsi is not Australian but American.” is how I would’ve replied to avoid ambiguity.

Ledecky forever
Reply to  Riccardo
2 years ago

You’re so clueless aren’t you. No one in this comment is an Aussie.

Last edited 2 years ago by Ledecky forever
BairnOwl
Reply to  Riccardo
2 years ago

This level of cluelessness has to be intentional… you must be trolling.

jeff
2 years ago

the fact that her first 50 to the feet would’ve made her the 5th fastest 50 backstroker in history is ridiculous

Anonymoose
2 years ago

she might be onto something here

Lil Swimmy
2 years ago

gretchen walsh 57 LCM when

About Coleman Hodges

Coleman Hodges

Coleman started his journey in the water at age 1, and although he actually has no memory of that, something must have stuck. A Missouri native, he joined the Columbia Swim Club at age 9, where he is still remembered for his stylish dragon swim trunks. After giving up on …

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