Hold onto your swim caps, because Gretchen Walsh just made waves in the swimming world! She didn’t just win the 100-meter butterfly at the 2025 U.S. Open—she obliterated records in the process. But here's where it gets controversial: Is Walsh’s dominance redefining the limits of women’s swimming, or is she simply benefiting from advancements in training and technology? Let’s dive into the details.
The 2025 U.S. Open, held from December 3-6 in Austin, Texas, at the Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swimming Center, was the stage for Walsh’s latest triumph. With prelims starting at 10 a.m. EST and finals at 7 p.m. EST (5 p.m. on Day 1), the event showcased the best in long-course meters (LCM) swimming. For those who missed it, you can catch up on the action via Meet Central, Psych Sheets, Live Results, and detailed recaps of both prelims and finals on SwimSwam.
In the Women’s 100 Fly Finals, Walsh clocked an astonishing 55.60 seconds, shattering not one but two records: Torri Huske’s 2023 U.S. Open Meet Record of 56.21 and Sarah Sjöström’s 2016 Texas Pool Record of 56.38. And this is the part most people miss: Walsh’s split times were faster than both Huske and Sjöström at the 50-meter mark, proving her race was a masterclass in speed and strategy.
Walsh’s performance wasn’t just a win—it was a statement. She now holds nine of the top 14 all-time swims in the Women’s LCM 100 Fly, including the eight fastest. Her journey to the top began in 2024 when she broke Sjöström’s long-standing world record at the U.S. Olympic Trials with a 55.18. She later lowered her own record to 54.60 at the 2025 TYR Pro Swim Series in Fort Lauderdale, solidifying her status as the only swimmer to go sub-55 seconds.
Here’s the all-time top 15 in the Women’s LCM 100 Fly, with Walsh dominating the list:
1. Gretchen Walsh – 54.60 (2025 TYR Pro Swim Series)
2. Gretchen Walsh – 54.73 (2025 World Champs)
3. Gretchen Walsh – 54.76 (2025 Toyota National Championships)
4. Gretchen Walsh – 55.09 (2025 TYR Pro Swim Series)
5. Gretchen Walsh – 55.18 (2024 Olympic Trials)
6. Gretchen Walsh – 55.29 (2025 Toyota National Championships)
7. Gretchen Walsh – 55.31 (2024 Olympic Trials)
8. Gretchen Walsh – 55.38 (2024 Olympic Games)
9. Sarah Sjöström – 55.48 (2016 Olympic Games)
10. Torri Huske – 55.52 (2024 Olympic Trials)
11. Sarah Sjöström – 55.53 (2017 World Champs)
12. Maggie MacNeil – 55.59 (2020 Olympic Games)
13. Torri Huske – 55.59 (2024 Olympic Games)
14. Gretchen Walsh – 55.60 (2025 U.S. Open)
15. Regan Smith – 55.62 (2024 Olympic Trials)
But here’s the question: Can anyone challenge Walsh’s reign, or is she in a league of her own? Sjöström’s records stood for years, but Walsh has rewritten the history books in record time. Is this the peak of women’s butterfly swimming, or is there still room for evolution? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—this debate is just getting started!
