FLASH! Gretchen Walsh Beats 50 Free Record Again With 20.57 at ACC Champs
Once again, Gretchen Walsh has set new records in the 50 freestyle, breaking the American, NCAA, and U.S. Open records in the event with a time of 20.57 at the ACC Championships in Greensboro, N.C. This is an impressive margin of two tenths and highlights her continued domination of sprint events. This beat her previous record of 20.77 set in prelims.
Despite a slow start, Walsh managed to pull ahead in the final with a closing lap time of 10.52, securing her lead and breaking new ground. This latest achievement adds to her remarkable relay swims at the meet, including a 1:40.23 leadoff split on Virginia’s 800 free relay and a 19.95 50-yard split on Virginia’s record-setting 200 free relay.
History was made as Walsh became the ninth swimmer to break 21 seconds in the 50 free, now holding the record on four occasions. Her time of 20.83 in last year’s ACC Championships was surpassed at the NCAA Championships, but she tied the top time of 20.79 in November before her 20.77 time in Wednesday’s prelims.
Other notable finishers in the event included Jasmine Nocentini in second place with a time of 21.13, and Katharine Berkoff in third place with a time of 21.23.
These outstanding results are a testament to the exceptional talent and hard work of these athletes in the ACC Championships.