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Gretchen Walsh Becomes Youngest Female Sub-22 in 50y Free

2018 SOUTHERN PREMIER MEET

  • March 2nd-4th 2018
  • Nashville Aquatic Club, Nashville, Tennessee
  • 25y (SCY) course
  • Live results

15-year old Gretchen Walsh has broken the 15-16 National Age Group Record in the 50 yard free, swimming a 21.85 on Saturday at the Southern Premier meet. That’s also a personal best for her, undercutting her own previous best time of 22.00, done when she was just 14 at Winter Juniors – East in December.

Although she’d already been faster than the old record, she had to await her 15th birthday to go after the 15-16 age group records, which were set by matching 22.04s from Simone Manuel at the 2013 NCSA Junior Nationals and Kate Douglass at 2016 Winter Juniors. Douglass did her time when she was just 15 as well, while Manuel has gone on to win Olympic gold.

Walsh’s older sister, 16-year old Alex Walsh, placed 2nd on Saturday in 22.08. That moves her to (now) 4th place in 15-16 age group history in the event. Between the two swimmers, they hold a combined 10 National Age Group Records now, including 2 long course relays that they’re both on. They would have more relay records, but again, Gretchen was too young at Winter Juniors, so their relay swims didn’t fall into any official category in spite of in at least one case being the fastest 18-and-under marks ever. In short course, Alex has 6 records, while Gretchen now has 2.

 

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Wahoowah
6 years ago

Crazy fast.

BTW does NAC and Coach Morse still do 80k per week in yardage at peak training? Coach Troy type philosophy?

SwimGeek
6 years ago

Just wow. And 22.0 for big sis — amazing swims from the Walsh sisters. Future is BRIGHT!

Wild Bill
6 years ago

So many outstanding swimmers coming up through the “ ranks “.
Thank you GOAT – MP – and many others!
Taking swimming more than “ main stream “ –
Thanks for swimming beyond college and earlier beyond high school (girls).
Love seeing people being empowered.

sittinginthestands
6 years ago

How would you like to face those two young ladies at your neighborhood summer league meet.

bobo gigi
6 years ago

Congrats to Gretchen. That’s fast. She will easily break the 25-second barrier next summer. And why not a qualification for Pan Pacs in the 50 free?

Hswimmer
Reply to  bobo gigi
6 years ago

She could honestly be second or third. Weitzeil is having a good year though.

ERVINFORTHEWIN
Reply to  bobo gigi
6 years ago

Trials this year will be even more exciting than the last 3 – can’t wait

samuel huntington
6 years ago

absolutely crazy speed for a 15 year old

jmanswimfan
Reply to  samuel huntington
6 years ago

For a 15 year old? Any age this is incredible, she would have gotten 8th at NCAA’s last year

Wild Bill
Reply to  jmanswimfan
6 years ago

Remember, she split 21.00 on a relay late last year. So she had a 21 + plus flat start in her. outstanding swim!

Coachmommy
6 years ago

I think Tammy Touch Pad Error might need to consider a name change ?

Coach Mike 1952
6 years ago

Smokin’!

About Braden Keith

Braden Keith

Braden Keith is the Editor-in-Chief and a co-founder/co-owner of SwimSwam.com. He first got his feet wet by building The Swimmers' Circle beginning in January 2010, and now comes to SwimSwam to use that experience and help build a new leader in the sport of swimming. Aside from his life on the InterWet, …

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