NCAA Swimming: Balancing Out Gretchen Walsh’s Emotional Side, Who is Her 18 Months Older Sister Alex Walsh?

In the aquatic dynasty, the Walsh sisters have been creating waves individually and as a dynamic duo. With the meteoric rise of Gretchen Walsh to the top by bagging several medals and accolades in World Championships and other events she has garnered the attention and love of fans for all the right reasons. But besides her wins, her sister’s prowess in the pool is equally captivating.

Boasting her silver medal in 200 m backstroke from the Tokyo Olympics 2020, Alex shines brightly from an early age. As the Walsh sisters continue to rule the waves, their bond extends way beyond the swimming scenes. With their unparalleled skills, the duo have been reaching unprecedented heights together. 

From record-breaking Prodigy to NCAA champion and Olympic contender

Beginning her journey at the age of 12, she was already making headlines with her record-breaking performance in the 100-yard individual medley. She was only 13 when she became a Nashville Aquatic Club member, and with her impeccable skills, 13-year-old Alex qualified for the 2016 Olympic Trials. There was no looking back after that.

She won two gold medals in 2018 and bagged a silver in 2016 at the Junior Pan Pacific Championships. In the 2019 Pan American Games she bagged gold for three different categories. In the 2022 World Aquatic Championship, she won three gold medals finally paving her way to the Tokyo Olympics 2020 where she secured the second position for her country.

The Walsh sisters emerged as an integral part of the University of Virginia. Alex helped Virginia top the chart in the NCAA championship for three consecutive years. While Gretchen, too, helped her team secure golds in the 2022 and 2023 NCAA championships. 

Besides taking the swimming world by storm, the duo have also taken their business venture to new heights. After securing 24 titles in NCAA championships, the Walsh sisters launched a brand new collection of ‘Sporti’ swimwear for SwimOutlet in 2022. This collaboration made them the first collegiate swim athletes to join hands with a nationally recognized swim brand. “We’ve been on two separate paths over the years yet in so many ways they intersect. The exciting thing about our collaboration with Sporti and SwimOutlet is it’s something we’re doing together, just as we’ve been on this swim journey together our entire lives”, stated the Walsh sisters.

In the same year, the sister duo competed together in Barcelona. Gretchen, talking about the same, stated, “The pool in Barcelona was my favorite of all time. It was even more significant because it is where we traveled together internationally for the first time, which was a huge goal for us”. 

Gretchen is just eighteen months younger than Alex, and according to their mother, Glynis, they have complemented each other since childhood. Sharing about their daily schedule, Glynis said, “Every morning, Gretchen is the first one up. She eats her breakfast, gets her stuff ready to go to school, and then she’s waiting on Alex. Alex kind of rolls downstairs, eats quickly, and they go to an all-girls school, so her hair is a mess, and they just kind of walk out the door. Gretchen is the one who keeps her on schedule for school and probably for swim practice”. While Gretchen is more on the emotional side of things, Alex is there to balance her out with her composure. 

Walsh Sisters’ quest for Olympic glory in Paris 2024

It was 2020 when the world came to a standstill, and thus, the Olympic trials were held in 2021 while the world was grappling with the COVID-19 pandemic. Finishing off in the fifth position overall, Gretchen, unfortunately, did not secure her place in the 2020 US Olympic Team. On the brighter side of the coin, Alexandra Walsh won silver in the 200 m individual medley, representing the USA. 

Read More: Gretchen Walsh Might Destroy Sarah Sjöström’s Dynasty at Paris Olympics After NCAA Destruction

With the Paris Olympics 2024 knocking at the doorstep, the duo is already buckling up and is ready to win medals for their country. While Gretchen has shattered her previous record of 20.57 seconds after clocking 20.41 seconds in 50-yard freestyle prelims Alex Walsh has secured the second position in 200 m backstroke prelims. As they prepare for upcoming events and the Paris Olympics, the world eagerly anticipates the next chapter in the extraordinary saga of their impeccable journey.

Continue to Read: 17-Year-Old American Impresses at Speedo Swimming Winter Juniors; Proves She Is a Threat to Gretchen Walsh