Katie Grimes Goes 15:53 in Mile for Virginia Pool Record
Virginia freshman Katie Grimes clocked in at 15:53.40 in the 1,650 freestyle on Saturday, the final day of the Cavalier Invite.
That time downs the UVA Aquatic and Fitness Center record that has held since 2001 in the possession of Cara Lane, who went 15:58.46. It moves Grimes into third in program history, behind a pair of fellow Olympic medalists: Leah Smith went 15:25.30 in 2016, and Paige Madden sits second in 15:41.86 from 2021. Lane’s best college time was 15:53.49, from 2003. Grimes’ time is a high B cut and is sixth in the country this season, trailing five A cuts. Jillian Cox’s time of 15:34.66 leads the nation.
Grimes’ time came in a time trial on Saturday. It follows an eventful Friday highlighted by Gretchen Walsh and Alex Walsh blistered nation-leading times in the 100 breast.
Grimes on Friday had been 1:44.89 in the 200 free.
Charlotte Wilson jumped into the program’s all-time top 10 by going 51.68 in the 100 backstroke. That’s eighth in program history. Wilson also won the 200 back in 1:53.02.
Alex Walsh swam a time trial in the 200 free in which she went 1:43.43. That’s 1.8 seconds off her best, set in 2023. Aimee Canny set a best time by going 47.96 in the 100 free, by .02 seconds, improving her standing as 10th in program history. Tess Howley went 52.19 in the 100 back, two tenths off her best time from NCAAs last year an d
On the men’s side, David King set a best time in the men’s 100 back, going 45.51. That moves him into fourth in program history, just a second behind Jack Aikins. King went 45.84 in prelims.
Aikins went 1:36.53 in a 200 free time trial, just ahead of teammates Hunter Bellotti (1:36.59) and Will Thompson (1:36.61).
The 200 back brought a school record for Johns Hopkins’ Avery Clapp. He chipped .02 off the mark in prelims at 1:45.35, then was a second quicker in finals at 1:44.32, good for third place. It’s an NCAA Division III B time.
