U.S. Nationals: Gretchen Walsh Leads Torri Huske in 100 Butterfly Qualifying
After Alex Walsh led the way in the first women’s event of the day, her younger sister Gretchen Walsh followed up with the leading effort in the women’s 100 butterfly. Walsh, already on the World Championships team after finishing third in the 100 freestyle and first in the 50 fly, rocketed through the opening portion of her race, splitting close to world-record pace on the way out, and she finished more than a half-second clear of Claire Curzan in their heat.
Walsh touched in 57.09, just a few tenths off her best time from earlier this year. Huske took second in 57.30, holding off Kate Douglass in the final heat. Douglass touched in 57.58. Curzan was fourth in 57.65 while teenager Alex Shackell swam a time of 57.80 to qualify fifth. Texas’ Kelly Pash finished sixth in 57.84, followed by teammate Olivia Bray in 58.03. Louisville’s Gabi Albiero finished one hundredth ahead of NC State’s Abby Arens, 58.69 to 58.70, to secure the last spot in the championship heat.
In addition to Walsh, Douglass has already qualified for the World Championships by virtue of her win in the 100 free and second-place finish in the 200 breaststroke. Huske and Shackell are likely on the team as relay alternates after fifth-place finishes in the 100 and 200 free, respectively. Huske has by far the quickest lifetime best in this field at 55.64, which is the American record she set in winning last year’s world title in the event. Curzan, who joined Huske in that 100 fly final, has not yet qualified for the team after missing the final in the 100 free and then finishing third Wednesday in the 200 backstroke.
A notable absence from the field was Sun Devil’s Regan Smith, who was seeded third at 56.60 and still owns the top time among Americans this year. After earning wins in the 200 fly and 200 back, Smith opted to skip the 100 fly and focus on the 50 back Thursday, with the 100 back and 200 IM still to come.
