With NIL (Name, Image, Likeness), the college athletics landscape has experienced a drastic change. Before its implementation, there was a shred of doubt about its evolution. However, it has now brought significant changes to the NCAA in all sports. One thing to keep in mind is the swimming realm is far more different from soccer and basketball. On the other hand, it has also positively impacted the college swimming circuit. Even though the swimming community didn’t particularly enjoy the glitz and glamor of the benefits this brought, Gretchen Walsh‘s rise might significantly change that.

The Virginia Cavaliers swimmer enjoyed a slow but gradual rise this season by owning the NCAA record in the four fastest events in college swimming. Yet, her performance at the 2024 World Aquatics 25m Championships has catapulted her above the realms of NIL. What does that mean? 

Gretchen Walsh bags a huge cash prize at the meet

During the Summer Games, the 21-year-old made a huge splash in the París La Défense Arena by clinching two gold and two silver medals in the French capital. However, her pièce de résistance was putting together one of the best performances in swimming history. What are we talking about? Gretchen Walsh claimed seven world titles at the 2024 World Aquatics 25m Championships. As a result, the swimmer bagged $291,000 by the end of the six-day meet.

On the final day of the championship, the Olympian bagged $42,500 by clinching gold in the 50 free and 4x100m medley relay. Additionally, she received world record bonuses for the same, earning $25,000 in the former and $6,250 in the latter. With her whopping total, she was among the top 5 earners at the event. On the other hand, she outearned every country but the States, which racked up $974,000. Her compatriot Regan Smith came in close second with $142,500 in prize money.

World Aquatics gave 319 swimmers a whopping $7.1 million at events conducted this year, and aquatic athletes earned $11.1 million in 2024 alone. This figure is the most cash prize the organization has ever given in its 116-year history. On the other hand, this is a stark contrast compared to how much NIL deals offer in the swimming circuit. The women’s swimming and diving team at Virginia earned $1.1 million in NIL money.

While the University of Virginia athlete has a private representation for her NIL deals, it can include anything between sponsorships, social media promotions, and branded merchandise. While she initially wanted to go pro after her second year, the swimmer considers NIL to be a blessing. The 21-year-old’s first sponsorship was with the biggest U.S. online swim retail company, SwimOutlet.

Along with her sister, Alex Walsh, they introduced the Walsh Sister Line. She also secured sponsorships with the energy drink Celsius and the Italian-French competitive swimwear brand Arena. However, how did her stunning performance at the championship prove a certain someone wrong? 

The 21-year-old shuts down Michael Phelps’ concerns in Budapest

During the 2024 Olympic Games, the Flying Fish wasn’t too impressed by the U.S. men’s swimming team. Even though his criticism was specific, it raised concerns about the country’s diminishing dominance on the global stage. The U.S. women’s swimming team responded with stellar performances in the pool, proving that American swimming remains a global powerhouse. However, that dominance was as prevalent as ever at the 2024 Short Course Championship in Budapest. 

Gretchen Walsh dominated the pool by shattering many long-lasting records. Her gold medal-worthy swim in the 50 free overtook Ranomi Kromowidjojo’s world record from 2017. Therese Alshammar set the 50 fly mark back in 2009, but it now belongs to the 21-year-old. The swimmer first crushed the 100 IM mark in October, which dated to 2009.

However, she lowered it not once but TWICE this week. Finally, the 100 fly record at the beginning of the meet was 54.05 seconds. While Maggie Mac Neil shaved a half-second off the previous standard in the last SC Worlds in Melbourne, Walsh’s impressive 52.71 seconds set a new benchmark. 

But wait, there’s more. The UVA senior became the first swimmer to set a world record in the heats with 53.24, the semifinals with 52.87, and finals with 52.71 in the 100 fly at a championship meet. She also set her ninth individual world record of the meet and clinched her fifth individual title in the 50 free with 22.83. This shattered her own world record of 22.87, which she set in the event’s semifinals on Saturday.

With 9 world records in the meet, Gretchen Walsh is now one of six Team USA swimmers to clinch four or more titles at a single championship meet. She now joins the ranks of Michael Phelps, Katie Ledecky, Ryan Lochte, Caleb Dressel, and Mark Spitz. On the other hand, the swimmer now boasts 11 world records, Spitz’s records at the 1972 Olympics, where he bagged seven gold medals.

However, here’s the kicker. She also surpasses Michael Phelps’s records, which he shattered at the 2008 Olympics. So, what do you think about the 21-year-old’s dominance in the pool?