Olympian Katie Grimes Commits to Virginia as Dynasty Continues New Wave
The University of Virginia will add another Olympian to its ranks.
Katie Grimes of Sandpipers committed to Virginia on Wednesday. The 18-year-old posted a photo of herself in Virginia shirt with the caption: “Hoo’s ready.”
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Grimes made history in Paris this summer by becoming the first female swimmer in U.S. history to swim a pool and open-water event at the same Olympics. Grimes is a two-time Olympian in the pool and won a silver in the 400 IM in Paris. She posted a 15th-place finish in the 10K at both the Paris Olympic Games and the 2024 World Aquatics Open Water Championships, which took place in Doha in February.
She burst onto the scene in 2021 at the Olympic Trials in Omaha, finishing second behind Katie Ledecky in the 800 free to qualify for Tokyo at age 15, the youngest athlete on the team. Grimes is a three-time silver medalist at the World Championships in the pool and earned a bronze in the 10K open water in 2023. She also won the World Junior Open Water Championship in the 7.5K in 2022.
The Cavaliers are stacked with the Walsh sisters – Alex and Gretchen, Emma Weber and Claire Curzan and now have added a dominant distance swimmer who will also provide versatility. Grimes brings options in the 200 IM, 200 butterfly, 200 backstroke and will surely strengthen the 800 freestyle relay. Grimes will have a huge 1-2 freshman punch with Worlds medalist and National Teamer Leah Hayes.
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