After claiming the world record in the 100m LC butterfly event in the women’s category on Saturday, Gretchen Walsh had to keep her momentum intact today to get an Olympic berth. The UVA swimmer carried out that smartly meanwhile. Nonetheless, in the final, she took her revenge on Torri Huske after facing a defeat from her in the US Nationals 2023. Yet, while playing with the records again, both Gretchen and Torri left another fierce opponent Regan Smith far behind as too many episodes unfolded today from the 100m LC butterfly final.
Gretchen Walsh touched the yellow line in 55.31 seconds today to secure her first Olympic berth, just 0.13 seconds shorter than her world record feat. However, the Olympian Torri Huske chased her to the finish, lagging 0.21 seconds. However, Regan Smith, a vibrant prospect for the Paris Olympics, couldn’t match the duo despite attaining the fifth fastest timing in the 100m butterfly history (55.62 seconds). Eventually, Claire Curzan, the Olympic silver medalist, failed to grab a place in the top two. Now, Gretchen Walsh will head to the American flight for the Paris Olympics. But to get a final picture, Torri Huske will have to wait for the end of the trials as several factors are still on the card.
US Swim trials are just so brutal.
Walsh and Huske times make them the 1st and 3rd fastest women in history.
Regan’s time makes her the 5th fastest woman in history and she doesn’t qualify. https://t.co/fKnutJCjMO— Tom O’Neil (@thomasjameoneil) June 17, 2024