Virginia Swim & Dive | U.S. Olympic Trials Daily Recap

Welcome to UVA Swimming Olympic Trials Central
Over the nine days of the U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials, check here for daily updates on the Hoos following the morning heats and the evening semifinals and finals.
You can follow USA Swimming on social media at @USASwimming and NBC’s coverage at @NBCOlympics

Day 3 – June 17
Prelims

W 400 IM (to finals)
5. Leah Hayes-4:42.37
7. Leah Smith-4:43.45
Ella Nelson-4:52.67

W 100 BACK (to semifinals)
7. Claire Curzan-59.43
Reilly Tiltmann-1:00.93
Izzy Bradley-1:01.62 (PB)
Tess Howley-1:02.44
Charlotte Wilson-1:02.66

M 800 FREE
Dillon Wright-8:18.91

Day 2 – June 16
Gretchen Walsh Makes U.S. Olympic Team in 100 Fly
Virginia rising senior Gretchen Walsh earned a spot on the 2024 U.S. Olympic Swimming team after winning the 100 Fly on Sunday night at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials in Indianapolis. Walsh, who set the world record during Saturday’s semifinals with a time of 55.18, touched the wall first in the finals with a clocking of 55.31. That stands as the second fastest time ever in the event. In the finals, Walsh was .21 seconds faster than Torri Huske, who held the world record entering the trials.

UVA teammate Claire Curzan was fourth in the race, finishing with a time of 57.47.

A trio of UVA competitors set personal best marks in the 100 breaststroke to advance to Monday’s finals. Emma Weber posted the third best time (1:06.48) in the semifinals, winning her heat and beating reigning Olympic gold medalist Lydia Jacoby in the process. Alex Walsh was sixth (1:06.87) and Ella Nelson finished seventh (1:07.41) in the semifinals.

Former Cavalier Paige Madden advanced to the finals of the 200 Free by finishing third in the semifinals. She posted a personal best time of 1:56.36.

On the men’s side, Noah Nichols finished fifth in the 100 Breast with a time of 59.69. In the 100 Back, Jack Aikins reset the UVA record twice while advance to Monday’s finals. He swam 53.24 during the morning prelims and bettered that in the semifinals to place third at 53.23.

Prelims

M 400 IM
Dillon Wright-4:22.71
Matt Styczen-4:23.53
Colin Bitz-4:27.85

W 100 Breast (to semifinals)
2. Emma Weber-1:06.67
6. Ella Nelson-1:07.66 (PB)
8. Alex Walsh-1:07.82
t18. Zoe Skirboll-1:08.99 (PB) (alternate)
Abby Harter-1:09.38 (PB)
Katie Christopherson_1:10.11
Anna Keating-1:10.95

M 100 Back (to semifinals)
3. Jack Aikins-53.24 (PB)
t17. David King-54.67 (PB) (alternate)
Will Thompson-56.00

W 200 Free (to semifinals)
2. Paige Madden-1:57.04
t. 18 Anna Moesch-1:59.77 (alternate)
Leah Smith-1:59.81
Bailey Hartman (1:59.23) 6^th 1:59.92
Cavan Gormsen-2:00.07
Leah Hayes-2:00.38

Day 1 – June 15

Walsh Sets World Record at U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials
Virginia rising senior Gretchen Walsh became the first competitor to set a world record at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials since 2008 to highlight the opening day of the competition at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. During Saturday night’s semifinal heat, Walsh swam 55.18 to smash the old mark of 55.48 set by Sarah Sjostrom in 2016. She bettered the American record of 55.64 set by Torri Huske in 2021.

Huske will swim against Walsh in Sunday’s 100 fly finals. She posted the second best time (55.79) while swimming in the heat prior to Walsh’s performance.

Earlier in the day, during the morning prelim swims, Walsh turned in a time of 55.94 to set the UVA record, which was the second fastest time in American history at that time.

Former Cavalier Paige Madden likely punched her ticket to the Paris Games thanks to a second-place finish in the 400 free with a personal best time of 4:02.08. Former Cavalier Leah Smith, who owns the UVA record in the event, was seventh (4:09.34).

In the men’s 100 breast semifinals, Noah Nichols posted the seventh best time to move on to Sunday’s finals. He clocked a time of 59.76.

Prelims

W 100 Fly (to semfinals)
1. Gretchen Walsh – 55.94
7. Claire Curzan – 58.17
18. Bailey Hartman – 58.83 (2^nd alternate)
Abby Harter – 59.94
Tess Howley – 59.99
Carly Novelline – 1:00.37
Maggie Schalow – 1:00.62
Note: Walsh second fastest in American history, third fastest in the world this season

W 400 Free (to finals)
2. Paige Madden – 4:04.83
10. Leah Smith – 4:10.09 (2nd alternate)
Cavan Gormsen – 4:14.12
Bailey Hartman – 4:14.16

M 100 Breast (to semifinals)
10. Noah Nichols – 1:00.24

Remaining Daily Event & Broadcast Schedule Featuring Hoos
(Based on pre-meet Pscych Sheet, subject to change)

Hoos’ Events at U.S. Olympic Team Trials

Men

Women