Walsh makes it three National Championships in three days for UVA swimmers

Courtesy UVA Media Relations

Virginia swimming divingGretchen Walsh won her first US National Champion title, taking gold in the 100-meter butterfly, on Wednesday night at the Phillips 66 National Championships in Irvine, Calif. Walsh jumped out to a commanding lead early in the race and held on for the win with a time of 57.44.

Walsh’s win is the third for the Cavaliers in just three days at the US National Championships.

Ella Nelson finished fifth in the women’s 400-meter IM with a career-best time of 4:43.84. Junior Sophia Wilson finished fourth in the consolation final of the 400 IM with a career-best time of 4:47.32.

Matt Styczen finished 27th in the men’s 400-meter IM with a time of 4:25.36.

Reilly Tiltmann was 40th in the women’s 100-meter fly (1:01.15), Lexi Cuomo tied for 46th (1:01.46) and Abby Harter was 50th (1:01.62).

Incomers Sebastien Sergile and Kamal Muhammad finished 40th and 41st, respectively, in the men’s 100-meter butterfly.