One Final Look at Virginia Storming to Fourth Straight NCAA Women’s Title (Videos)
Now that the NCAA Men’s Championships have concluded, it’s a wrap for the latest year of collegiate swimming. And what a campaign it was, with the athletes raising the bar for what is possible in the pool. NCAA records fell frequently between the women’s and men’s championships, which were captured respectively by Virginia and Arizona State.
For Virginia, the Cavaliers captured their fourth consecutive team title, thanks to a spectacular combination of top-tier talent and depth. Leading the way were Gretchen Walsh and Alex Walsh, the sister combination who combined for six individual NCAA championships and united on several victorious relay squads.
Gretchen Walsh packaged a meet for the ages at the NCAA Women’s Champs, as she broke NCAA records in the 50 freestyle, 100 freestyle and butterfly. In the 100 freestyle, she became the first woman to crack the 45-second barrier, while she became the first woman to break 48 seconds in the 100 butterfly.
Coach Todd DeSorbo has built something special in Charlottesville, and the Cavs will no doubt target a fifth straight championship next season.
Of course, attention will now turn to June’s United States Olympic Trials in Indianapolis and this summer’s Olympic Games in Paris. But first, here are a pair of videos that provide one final look at Virginia’s dominance and collection of a fourth straight NCAA team championship.
Walsh Sisters on Making History