Gretchen Walsh set a world record in the 100m individual medley to lead top-ranked Virginia to a 181-119 win over #3 Florida on Friday at the Aquatic and Fitness Center in Charlottesville.
The No. 14 Virginia men’s team suffered a 231-69 loss against the No. 3 Gators.
Walsh swam in four events, setting one world and four American records.
Walsh, who won four medals, including two golds, in the 2024 Paris Olympics, set the tone with the first swim of the meet on Friday, breaking the American record in the 50m backstroke with her leadoff leg of the 200m medley relay.
Walsh posted a 25.37, bettering the previous mark of 25.54 set by her fellow Cavalier, Claire Curzan, at Short Course Worlds in 2022.
Walsh won the 100m backstroke (54.89) and the 50m free (23.10) in American record times to add to her tally.
Walsh’s world record came in a time trial for the 100m individual medley. With just her and teammate Zoe Skirboll swimming, Walsh posted a 55.98. The time broke the American record set that morning by UVA alumna Kate Douglass (56.99) at the World Aquatics Swimming World Cup in Shanghai and the world mark of 56.51 that was set in 2017.
This is Walsh’s first individual world record. She helped set two world records in relays at the Paris Olympics: the mixed 4×100 medley relay (3:37.43) and the 4×100 medley relay (3:49.63).
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Chris Graham
