21-Year-Old Gretchen Walsh Shatters Women’s 100-Meter Butterfly World Record at U.S. Olympic Trials

In a remarkable display of athleticism, Gretchen Walsh shattered the world record in the women’s 100-meter butterfly at the U.S. Olympic Trials. At just 21 years old, Walsh outperformed seasoned competitors Torri Huske and Regan Smith to secure her place in the record books with a time of 55.18 seconds, surpassing the previous record set by Sarah Sjöström at the 2016 Olympics.

This marked the first world record set at the U.S. Olympic Trials since Michael Phelps in 2008. As she reflected on her achievement, Walsh expressed disbelief at her success and acknowledged the shock of those around her. The University of Virginia standout had an exceptional NCAA swimming season, breaking records in multiple events and is poised for a potential spot on the 2024 Olympic team if she can deliver another stellar performance in the final round.

Walsh faces tough competition from talented swimmers like Huske and Smith as she prepares for the final round. If she secures her place on the Olympic team, Walsh is likely to captivate audiences in Paris this summer as one of the sport’s rising stars. With a strong support system at her side, including her sister Alex who made the Olympic team in 2020 and teammate Kate Douglass who also holds Olympic accolades, Walsh is on track for a successful journey in the swimming world.