In perhaps one of the unexpected twists at the 2024 Paris Olympics, Torri Huske went on to win Gold in the 100-meter butterfly. And she did it by beating the world record holder in butterfly, Gretchen Walsh. Torri was faster than Walsh by four-hundredths of a second. This was redemption for Torri Huske! The last time Huske was at the Olympics, the gold medal eluded her by 0.01 seconds. And she wasn’t going to let history repeat itself!

Recently, in an interview with USA Swimming, Torri went on to talk about her experience in Paris. To be more precise about what it was like to go against her teammate Walsh. “I mean, I feel like it’s the same with any athlete like, um, you’re obviously really competitive, but you also like wish the best for them, and going into the race, I was just like super excited to race Gretchen because obviously like she’s the greatest there ever was in the hundred fly,” said Torri. But that’s not all!

Torri Huske acknowledged the magnitude of the challenge she faced, saying, “She’s the greatest there ever was in the hundred fly—she still has the world record, the Olympic record in semis.” Competing against an athlete of that caliber could rattle anyone, but not Torri. Instead of succumbing to the pressure, she found a silver lining. “Going in, I was like, no one’s really watching me; I can just go out there and have fun,” she recalled. And maybe that mindset was exactly what she needed to surpass her own limits. With the eyes of the crowd fixed elsewhere, Huske became the unexpected hero, an underdog who defied the odds. That pure joy, that unburdened approach—it’s what propelled her to victory, turning her silver into an unforgettable gold. And not just any gold—a historic one!

On the day of the Paris finals, the world saw five of the seven fastest women in history going against each other. It was in that pool of champions that Torri went on to clock 55.59. Walsh, however, still holds the world record with a time of 55.18. At the end of it all, Torri said, “I was just like honestly really excited to get to race the best.” Torri Huske now stands with three gold medals and two silver medals around her neck after the Games. And as she looks ahead, one cannot help but wonder what lies ahead in the unpredictable journey of Torri.

Torri Huske is to return to Stanford!

As the waves of excitement from the Paris Olympics begin to settle, the next chapter in swimming is ready to make a splash—Torri Huske is heading back to Stanford for her final collegiate season. After putting her academics on hold to chase Olympic glory, Huske is returning to finish her bachelor’s in product design. But let’s not forget the real headline here—she’s back in the pool for the Stanford Cardinals! And she’s not the only star diving back in—this season promises a thrilling showdown with not one, but two champions returning to collegiate waters.

Joining Huske is Gretchen Walsh, the powerhouse who will be donning the orange and blue of the Virginia Cavaliers once more. Walsh has already set a high bar, with her record of seven titles leading UVA to its fourth consecutive championship. She’s a force to be reckoned with, but Huske isn’t far behind. Back in 2022, she led the Stanford Cardinals to victory in the 800 Free Relay at the NCAA Championships, and that was only the beginning.

In 2023, at the Pac-12 Championships, Huske was unstoppable, medaling in the 50 Free, 100 Free, 100 Fly, 200 Free Relay, 400 Free Relay, 800 Free Relay, and the 400 Medley Relay—a total haul that would make even the fiercest competitor envious. And let’s not forget her impressive seven All-American honors, all earned during her sophomore year alone. Torri Huske’s list of accomplishments is a testament to her relentless drive, and after sitting out the last NCAA Championships, she’s coming back with something to prove.

This season, Huske is ready to hit the water with all eyes on her, and you can feel the anticipation. The rivalry between Huske and Walsh is bound to push both swimmers to new heights, making the collegiate season one of the most exciting yet. Who will dominate the pool this time around? The stage is set, and the swimmers are ready—prepare for a season that promises to be nothing short of legendary!