Swimming & Diving: Five Cavaliers heading to Olympics as U.S. Trials conclude in Indy

Courtesy UVA Media Relations

In the final night of competition at the U.S. Olympic Team trials in Indianapolis, rising Virginia senior Gretchen Walsh added the 50 Free to her schedule for Team USA at the Paris Games. Walsh was second in the 50 Free with a time of 24.15. Cavalier teammate Maxine Parker was eighth in the race (24.90).

The 2024 Olympic swimming competition will take place July 27-Aug. 4 at the Aquatics Center in Paris.

Walsh will be joined at the Paris Games by her sister Alex, and UVA teammate Emma Weber. Former Cavaliers Kate Douglass and Paige Madden round out the quintet of UVA competitors. That’s the most UVA representatives from swimming at a single Olympic Games. It is the fifth consecutive Olympic Games the Virginia women’s program has representatives in the field.

Alex Walsh, Douglass and Madden all competed and won medals at the 2020 Tokyo Games.

The nine-day Olympic Trials allowed the Cavalier women to show the dominance of a program that has won four consecutive NCAA team championships. UVA placed a current, former or incoming swimmer in every final except for the 1500. The five Cavaliers who made Team USA for the Paris Games will compete in 11 events, with more possible in the relay races.

The U.S. women’s squad will be coached by Virginia head coach Todd DeSorbo.

Virginia’s highlights from the 2024 U.S. Olympic Team trials included Gretchen Walsh setting a world record in the 100 Butterfly and Douglass picking up wins in three different events.

Team USA Qualifying Results (top two finishes)
Kate Douglass – 1st in the 200 Breaststroke, 1st in the 100 Freestyle, 1st in the 200 Individual Medley

Paige Madden – 2nd in the 200 Freestyle, 2nd in the 800 Freestyle

Alex Walsh – 2nd in 200 Individual Medley

Gretchen Walsh – 1st in the 100 Butterfly, 2nd in the 50 Free

Emma Weber – 2nd in the 100 Breaststroke

Relays

4×100 – Gretchen Walsh

4×200 – Paige Madden

World Records Set

Gretchen Walsh – 100 Fly (55.18)

U.S. Open Records Set

Gretchen Walsh – 100 Fly (55.18)

Kate Douglass – 200 IM (2:06.79)

Championship Records Set

Gretchen Walsh – 100 Fly (55.18)

Kate Douglass – 200 Breast (2:19.66)

UVA Records LCM Set

Gretchen Walsh – 100 Fly (55.18)

Kate Douglass – 200 IM (2:06.79), 100 Free (52.56)

Jack Aikins – 100 Back (52.74), 200 Back (1:54.78)
Tess Howley – 200 Fly (2:08.79)

Emma Webers – 100 Breast (1:06.10)