NEW COMMIT: The University of Tennessee has scored a big verbal commitment for the 2021-22 season and beyond from Irish national record-holder Ellen Walshe of Dublin.
She’ll arrive in Knoxville as a member of the Lady Vols’ loaded class of 2025 along with Brooklyn Douthwright, Sammy Huff, Cory Shanks, Amber Myers, Sara Stotler, Kate McCarville, Lauren Wetherell, Summer Eaker, Josephine Fuller, Summer Smith and Asia Minnes.
Regarding her commitment, she said:
“I am excited to announce my commitment to University of Tennessee! A huge thank you to everyone who has helped me throughout my athletic and academy careers so far! Can’t wait to be part of the lady Vols!
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A talented butterflyer and IMer, Walshe raced the 100m fly at the 18th FINA World Championships in 2019 after winning both the 50m and 100m fly at the Irish Open Championships. She most recently competed at the McCullagh International Meet back in February, placing third in the 50m fly and fourth in the 200m fly and 400m IM.
In January, Walshe set the Irish national record in the 100m fly with a lifetime best 59.54 to become the first female under the one-minute barrier.
In LCM, her best times include:
- 50m fly – 27.29
- 100m fly – 59.54
- 200m fly – 2:14.15
- 200m IM – 2:19.55
- 400m IM – 4:50.78
In SCY, those times convert to:
- 50 fly – 24.63
- 100 fly – 52.87
- 200 fly – 1:59.24
- 200 IM – 2:02.00
- 400 IM – 4:16.54
Walshe will make an immediate impact when she arrives in Knoxville next fall and will add her talents to a training group led by Trude Rothrock and Mallory Beil. Her best times (converted to yards) are already fast enough to score in the B-final of the 100 fly and the C-final of the 200 fly/400 IM at the conference level.
Her fellow countrymate, Mona McSharry, is currently a freshman for the Lady Vols. Under head coach Matt Kredich, Tennessee clinched their first-ever SEC title in program history last season.
If you have a commitment to share, please send a photo and quote via email to hs@swimmingworld.com.
