“My mom, who swam in college, kind of threw me into the pool around 4 because she wanted me and my sister (Gretchen) to know water safety and how to swim,“ once shared Olympian Alex Walsh. Fast forward to the present day, and Alex and her younger sister Gretchen Walsh are two of the most exceptional swimmers of their generation, dominating collegiate swimming with unparalleled achievements. As standout athletes for the University of Virginia, they have led their team to four consecutive NCAA Division I Women’s Swimming & Diving National Championships, smashing records along the way.

Gretchen, known for her electrifying individual performances, and Alex, an Olympic silver medalist from the 2021 games, are now setting their sights on the Paris 2024 Olympics, aiming to represent Team USA together. As eyes turn to the Walsh sisters at the 2024 U.S. Olympic Team Trials, let’s explore their family roots and discover the source of their remarkable swimming talent.

All about NCAA record holder Gretchen Walsh’s parents

According to UVA Today, Glynis and Robert Walsh are the proud parents of the swimming sensations of Gretchen and Alex Walsh. Picture this: a dash of Southern charm, a sprinkle of competitive spirit, and a lot of love for their daughters. Hailing from Nashville, Tennessee, they’ve been there every step of the way, from cheering in the stands to celebrating those victorious moments in the pool. And guess what?

Swimming isn’t just a sport for this family—it’s practically in their DNA. Glynis was a force to be reckoned with in the water, captaining the Boston College women’s swim team back in 1993, while Robert Walsh is an alumnus of the University of Tennessee. The Walsh family has made numerous sacrifices to support their daughters’ swimming careers. They moved from Old Greenwich, Connecticut, where they started with the YWCA Dolphins, to Stamford, Connecticut, joining the Chelsea Piers Aquatic Club. Summers saw them swimming for the Rocky Point Club.

In 2014, they relocated to Nashville, Tennessee, competing for the Nashville Aquatic Club. When their oldest daughter chose UVA, Glynis and Robert made frequent eight-hour drives from Nashville to Charlottesville. Despite being new to town five years ago, they now consider themselves Charlottesville regulars due to their monthly visits. As we reflect on the immense support, let’s peek at Glynis’s observation that Gretchen Walsh shines brighter than her sister in terms of discipline.

Gretchen’s mom believes that she is the most disciplined among the Walsh sisters

Gretchen Walsh, just a year and a half younger than her Olympian sister Alex, made quite a splash by becoming the youngest swimmer to qualify for the 2016 US Olympic Trials when she was only 13. Not only did she qualify, but she also competed, making her the youngest swimmer to do so. She even opened up, sharing, “When I was 13 years old, I made the 2016 Olympic trials, and I was the youngest qualifier there. That’s when I thought, ‘Okay, this is a legit thing.’“ And that’s how her trajectory only went upward.

Despite being the younger of the Walsh sisters, Glynis Walsh opened up, revealing how Gretchen is the real MVP when it comes to discipline. She shared, “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”.

This discipline set the tone of her career, and as she joined the Cavaliers in 2020 and landed on Grounds the next year, Gretchen Walsh broke records left, right, and center. From shattering the 48-second barrier in the 100 fly with a jaw-dropping 47.42 to smashing the 100 free in a blistering 44.83 seconds, she became the driving force behind UVA’s victory at the 2024 NCAA Division I Women’s Swimming and Diving Championships in Athens, GA, this past March.

With her disciplined approach and strong family ties in the sport, could Gretchen Walsh’s aspirations to follow in her sister Alex’s footsteps as an Olympic medalist pave her way to securing a coveted spot on the 2024 U.S. Olympic Swimming Team Trials in Paris? What are your thoughts on her chances? Share your thoughts in the comments below!