Gretchen Walsh Refreshingly Embracing Dominance of 100 Butterfly
Some athletes claim they don’t pay attention to their historical standing. That’s not the style of Gretchen Walsh, who last week added another chapter to her stunning legacy in the 100-meter butterfly. After winning her prime event at the Pan Pacific Championships, behind a mark of 55.15, Walsh now owns the 18-fastest performances in the event. As impressive, she is 1.15 seconds faster than the No. 2 performer of all-time, 2016 Olympic champion Sarah Sjostrom.
In what is a refreshing approach, Walsh does not go the cliche route when discussing her status in the 100 butterfly. She won’t say: “My place in history is for others to decide.” Rather, the Team USA veteran knows the numbers, and wants to build on her dominance going forward. She recognizes her ownership of the all-time rankings with a sense of pride, her years of hard work and dedication leading to the repetitive listing of her name.
“I just want to keep adding to my list of top times every time I go,” Walsh said at Pan Pacs. I am trying to solidify my place in the history books in that event. Every chance I get to do that is a great opportunity, so tonight was another moment to celebrate that. One time, USA Swimming made a graphic of the top-10 times ever and I got really emotional. When I was young, the 100 fly was my thing. Everyone called me, ‘Fly Girl.’ Coming back to it now, having the top 18 times in history, is the coolest thing ever. It will take time for that to really sink in. I feel like every time I compete in that event, I remind myself that I have a lot to be proud of, that ‘Little Gretchen’ would be shocked by.”
As a member of the high-powered contingent at the University of Virginia, Walsh benefits from a training gauntlet. She has set at least one world record in the 100 butterfly in each of the past three years, lowering it to 54.33 just a few months ago at the Fort Lauderdale Open. Sjostrom is the closest a non-Walsh swimmer has come to that mark, behind her 55.48 gold-medal effort at the 2016 Olympics. The combination of Walsh’s dominance and improvement arc over the years suggests a 53-something performance is within reach.
Walsh’s 18-fastest times in a singular event is unmatched, although others have been spectacular in their own right. Great Britain’s Adam Peaty owns the 14-fastest times in the history of the 100 breaststroke, and is .81 clear of that event’s No. 2. Meanwhile, American Katie Ledecky has 28 of the 29-fastest times in the 1500 freestyle, and is 11 seconds clear of her closest pursuer.
Each time Walsh steps onto the blocks, the chance for an all-time mark exists. Of her 18 top times, 10 were produced during the 2026 campaign. As 2027 approaches, it won’t be surprising to see Walsh extend her grip of the event into the mid-20s. At the moment, she is simply racing the clock and herself.
Gretchen Walsh’s Top-18 Times (100 Butterfly)
54.33 (2026)
54.60 (2025)
54.73 (2025)
54.76 (2025)
54.82 (2026)
55.00 (2026)
55.09 (2025)
55.15 (2026)
55.18 (2024)
55.20 (2026)
55.22 (2026)
55.28 (2026)
55.29 (2025)
55.31 (2026)
55.31 (2024)
55.38 (2024)
55.39 (2026)
55.47 (2026)
