Open Water Swimmer Brennan Gravley Announces Retirement

Photo Courtesy: NCAA Media

Open Water Swimmer Brennan Gravley Announces Retirement

Brennan Gravley, an NCAA qualifier at the University of Florida and a Pan Am Games open water champ, has announced his retirement.

Gravley, who wrapped up his final season in Gainesville in 2023, made the announcement this week on social media.

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A post shared by Brennan Gravley (@brennangravley)

Gravley wrote, in part:

“I have nothing but gratitude for everything this sport has given me. I could type for days on end about all I’ve loved, and still I know I’d leave so much out. I have more friends than I could have imagined thanks to swimming. I have swam in beaches and coasts across the globe and explored cultures of stunning value and history. I have felt the true bliss of what it is like to be part of something much larger than myself, whether it be an 11-12 State relay record or an SEC championship team. Most of all, I have made what seems like a countless amount of memories that are equally priceless in their own individual moment.

“I want to thank everyone that has been a part of this chapter of my life. It was, and always will be, YOU people in this incredible sport that made me so happy to be at the pool each and every day. It was always you that brought the best out of me.”

The All-American was a member of the All-SEC second team as a freshman in 2020. He qualified for NCAAs in his first two seasons, his freshman year cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and was part of four SEC championship teams. He was a CSCAA All-American in 2021 and a three-time member of the SEC Academic Honor Roll.

Gravley, 23, distinguished himself in open water competition, a product of the Sandpipers of Nevada system. He won a national title in the 5-kilometer in 2022 and a silver medal in the 10K. At the 2023 national championships, Gravley finished second overall and top among Americans.

Gravley had swum at World Championships dating to 2019. He finished 10th in the men’s 5K and 12th in the 10k in Budapest in 2022. At the 2023 World Championships in Fukuoka, he finished 28th in the 5K and 30th in the 10K. He most recently won gold at the 2023 Pan Am Games in October in Chile.

He was seen as one of the top contestants for the American team for the Paris Olympics when qualifying occurs in the spring.

Brennan Gravley is one of three swimming brothers – older brother William Gravley swam at Johns Hopkins, while younger brother Dylan is at Arizona State. Dylan Gravley is also an open water national teamer.

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