{"id":434224,"date":"2020-06-03T04:00:37","date_gmt":"2020-06-03T11:00:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/?p=434224"},"modified":"2020-06-02T21:34:53","modified_gmt":"2020-06-03T04:34:53","slug":"swimming-world-presents-sister-act-gretchen-and-alex-walsh-chasing-the-ultimate-dream-together","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/swimming-world-presents-sister-act-gretchen-and-alex-walsh-chasing-the-ultimate-dream-together\/","title":{"rendered":"Swimming World Presents “Sister Act: Gretchen and Alex Walsh Chasing The Ultimate Dream… Together”"},"content":{"rendered":"

Sister Act: Gretchen and Alex Walsh Chasing The Ultimate Dream… Together<\/span><\/h1>\n
By David Rieder<\/span><\/p>\n
Alex and Gretchen Walsh have worked their way up the pecking order of American swimming, and in 2021, the talented sisters from the Nashville Aquatic Club and two-time national champion Harpeth Hall School in Nashville, Tenn., will get their shot at their greatest goal: the Olympics!<\/strong><\/p>\n
When Alex Walsh thinks back on her first Olympic Trials experience, she remembers the awkwardness of arriving in the ready room early before her first race and the nerves of marching into a massive arena for prelims. She was racing in the 100 back in Lane 2 with eminent competition in the next three lanes: 2012 Olympian and multi-time NCAA champion Rachel Bootsma, American record holder and defending Olympic gold medalist Missy Franklin and eventual Olympic silver medalist Kathleen Baker.<\/p>\n
Walsh, competing for Nashville Aquatic Club, was just 14 years old at the time, but she held her own. She finished sixth in the heat and advanced to the semifinals. A few minutes later, she exited the pool and walked into the mixed zone, where she spoke with a reporter.
\n\u201cI had to stop the person and go throw up,\u201d Walsh said. \u201cNormally, I don\u2019t throw up in prelims, because I don\u2019t totally physically strain myself, but that was a combination of nerves and stuff. My coaches still make fun of me for that today.\u201d<\/p>\n
At 14, Walsh wasn\u2019t the youngest swimmer at the meet\u2014or even the youngest in her family. Her 13-year-old sister, Gretchen, had qualified two weeks beforehand in one event, the 50 free. \u201cNothing compares to that meet,\u201d Gretchen said. \u201cFor me, I didn\u2019t have any expectations, just because I had already gotten my goal just to be there.” For both Alex and Gretchen, the experience was a formative one for their swimming careers. Four years later, both Walsh sisters are established junior-level stars, joined in a pursuit of senior-level elite status with a shared, yet very separate, Olympic dream.<\/p>\n
Eighteen months apart in age, Alex and Gretchen have grown up together, and their mother, Glynis, thinks the two complement each other. Alex is more inward and balanced, level-headed and thoughtful. Glynis said, \u201cI definitely trust her thought process, especially for herself. She knows her own heart.\u201d Gretchen, meanwhile, is more focused and loud, more likely to show emotions than her sister\u2014and more likely to be on time.<\/p>\n
In swimming, Gretchen was always the more goal-oriented of the two. When the girls were younger, Alex had success more quickly, winning junior nationals when she was 14 and breaking national age group records before that. Gretchen, meanwhile, swam largely in her sister\u2019s shadow. That drove Gretchen to try to match her sister\u2019s early achievements.<\/p>\n
When Alex and Gretchen were considering their college choices, they each went through their own recruiting process, but they ended up settling on the same school: the University of Virginia. Each separately felt attracted to the team dynamic and culture that head coach Todd DeSorbo has built in a quickly rising Cavalier program. Alex will enter college in the fall of 2020, and Gretchen will follow one year later.
\nOn being together in Charlottesville, Alex said, \u201cI think it\u2019s going to be fun,\u201d to which Gretchen responded, \u201cI don\u2019t think we\u2019ll get sick of each other as often.\u201d<\/p>\n
In college, Alex and Gretchen won\u2019t be together as often, and they won\u2019t constantly compete against each other in practice, but they will still have each other for support\u2014 as sisters.<\/p>\n
\u201cBy the time Gretchen gets there, they\u2019re going to live on opposite sides of the campus, and they\u2019ll swim on opposite sides of the pool because Gretchen will be in the sprint group and Alex will be in the middle distance group. Instead of being right next to each other and being compared, they\u2019ll be more parallel and supportive,\u201d Glynis said. \u201cThey\u2019ll be there as teammates, as friends. They\u2019ll be there for the good and the bad, but they won\u2019t be right next to each other.\u201d<\/p>\n
To read the full article about Gretchen and Alex Walsh and their plans for the University of Virginia,\u00a0<\/strong>
\nCheck out the May\/June 2020 issue of Swimming World Magazine, available now!<\/strong><\/p>\n
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[PHOTO CREDIT: SPEEDO USA]<\/p>\n
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FEATURES<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
020<\/span> TOSSED INTO TURMOIL<\/span><\/strong>
\nby Dan D\u2019Addona<\/strong>
\nThe spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has had a far-reaching impact not only on everyday life, but also on the sport of swimming across the globe.<\/p>\n
022<\/span> COVID-19 AFTERMATH: UNCERTAIN TIMES<\/span> <\/strong>
\nby Dan D\u2019Addona<\/strong>
\nWhile the coronavirus pandemic put a halt to sports around the world, the full financial impact of the pandemic will not be known for some time\u2014especially in college sports, which could lead to uncertain and even a fearful future for the sport of swimming.<\/p>\n
024<\/span> TIMING IS EVERYTHING<\/span><\/strong>
\nby David Rieder<\/strong>
\nEveryone knows how important timing is\u2014races can be won or lost by hundredths of a second. For swimmers competing at the NAIA and NJCAA Championships, the most important timing was measured in days. Both associations were able to complete their championship meets just before other major sports championships were being canceled due to the threat of coronavirus.<\/p>\n
026<\/span> SILVER LINING COULD TURN TO GOLD<\/span> <\/strong>
\nby Michael Randazzo<\/strong>
\nThe Olympic postponement was hardly perceived as a positive, but it could lead to hope and opportunity for any men\u2019s or women\u2019s water polo team that aspires to Olympic competition\u2014including the United States\u2019 national teams.<\/p>\n
028<\/span> MENTAL PREP: BEFORE THE BEEP WITH ASHLEY TWICHELL<\/span><\/strong>
\nby Shoshanna Rutemiller<\/strong><\/p>\n
030<\/span> IMPACTING LIVES THROUGH COACHING<\/span> <\/strong>
\nby David Rieder<\/strong>
\nDave Durden, University of California and U.S. national team coach, simply refers to himself as a swim coach. But he\u2019s also a leader, an expert at maximizing performance, removing doubt, instilling confidence and navigating young men through demanding situations.<\/p>\n
034<\/span> CHASING THE ULTIMATE DREAM… TOGETHER<\/span><\/strong>
\nby David Rieder<\/strong>
\nAlex and Gretchen Walsh have worked their way up the pecking order of American swimming, and in 2021, the talented sisters from the Nashville Aquatic Club and two-time national champion Harpeth Hall School in Nashville, Tenn., will get their shot at their greatest goal: the Olympics!<\/p>\n
038<\/span> TAKEOFF TO TOKYO: T \u2018N\u2019 T\u2014A FRIENDLY RIVALRY FOR A DYNAMITE DUO<\/span><\/strong>
\nby John Lohn<\/strong>
\nDuring the Olympic campaign of 2000, Jenny Thompson and Dara Torres\u2014complete opposites out of the pool, but with few differences as competitors\u2014were engaged in a friendly, but not-so-easy rivalry\u2014one that brought out the best in both swimmers.<\/p>\n
042<\/span> TAKEOFF TO TOKYO:MISTY\u2019S MAGICAL MOMENT<\/span><\/strong>
\nby John Lohn<\/strong>
\nThe United States\u2019 Misty Hyman turned in one of the biggest upsets in Olympic swimming history, beating Australia\u2019s Susie O\u2019Neill\u2014the defending Olympic champion, world record holder and the host country\u2019s favorite\u2014in the women\u2019s 200 fly at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney.<\/p>\n
046<\/span> ISHOF: A DUKE, A MERMAID, A WAR AND THE FLU<\/span><\/strong>
\nby Bruce Wigo<\/strong>
\nCOVID-19 isn\u2019t the first pandemic disease to have brought the world of competitive swimming to a halt, and the 2020 Olympic Games are not the first to be postponed or canceled. This is the story of the years between 1914 and 1918, when the world was suddenly and unexpectedly turned upside down by events not so different from what our sport is experiencing today.<\/p>\n
048<\/span> ISHOF: TRAGEDY & TRIUMPH AT U.S. TRIALS…60 YEARS AGO<\/span><\/strong>
\nby Bruce Wigo<\/strong>
\nEvery U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials, since they were first held in 1904, has always seen favorites fail and underdogs rise to the occasion.<\/p>\n
COACHING<\/p>\n
016<\/span> SWIMMING TECHNIQUE CONCEPTS: THE VALUE OF HAND FORCE ANALYSIS: PART II\u2014BACKSTROKE<\/span><\/strong>
\nby Rod Havriluk<\/strong>
\nSynchronized video and hand force data is an essential tool for optimizing technique. A coach can use the force data to pinpoint limitations, refer to the corresponding video images to explain changes and monitor a swimmer\u2019s progress in improving technique.<\/p>\n
018<\/span> SWIMMING TECHNIQUE CONCEPTS: THE VALUE OF HAND FORCE ANALYSIS:\u00a0 PART III\u2014BREASTSTROKE<\/span><\/strong>
\nby Rod Havriluk<\/strong>
\nThe two previous articles in this series (Part I\u2014Butterfly and Part II\u2014Backstroke) presented information about the value of using hand force analysis to identify specific technique elements that limit performance, and in many cases, substantially. This month\u2019s article includes more general information about force analysis with a breaststroke example.<\/p>\n
052<\/span> MOTIVATING SWIMMERS TO NEW HEIGHTS<\/span><\/strong>
\nby Michael J. Stott<\/strong>
\nMemorable are the sporting events where an athlete or team is \u201con fire.\u201d Swimming World checks in with two high school and two age group coaches for insight into how that happens. Spoiler alert: the common denominator is \u201cbuy-in\u201d from athletes who connect with a coach.<\/p>\n
056<\/span> AEROBIC OVERLOAD: VOLUME REVISITED<\/span> <\/strong>
\nby Michael J. Stott<\/strong>
\nIn the first of two parts, Swimming World Magazine re-examines the role of volume in\u00a0 swim training.<\/p>\n
058<\/strong><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>SPECIAL SETS: CHANGE-OF-PACE FUN<\/span> <\/strong>
\nby Michael J. Stott<\/strong>
\nUSA Swimming master coach consultant Bob Steele provides some favorite change-of-pace exercises that are designed to insert spice and fun into in-season training.<\/p>\n
060<\/span> SPECIAL SETS: STARTING OVER<\/span><\/strong>
\nby Michael J. Stott<\/strong>
\nBruce Gemmell, head coach at Nation\u2019s Capital Swim Club (Georgetown Prep site in North Bethesda, Md.) provides some sample sets\u2014and some guidelines\u2014for when it\u2019s time to return to the water for training.<\/p>\n
066<\/span> Q&A WITH COACH DOUG FONDER<\/span><\/strong>
\nby Michael J. Stott<\/strong><\/p>\n
067<\/span> HOW THEY TRAIN OLIVIA BRAY<\/span><\/strong>
\nby Michael J. Stott<\/strong><\/p>\n
069<\/span> Q&A WITH COACH RON & DON HEIDARY<\/span>
\nby Michael J. Stott<\/strong><\/p>\n
070<\/span> HOW THEY TRAIN MADDIE SMITH AND EMILIA BARCK<\/span><\/strong>
\nby Michael J. Stott<\/strong><\/p>\n
TRAINING<\/p>\n
012<\/span> DRYSIDE TRAINING: STROKE STRENGTH SERIES\u2014FREESTYLE<\/span><\/strong>
\nby J.R. Rosania<\/strong><\/p>\n
015<\/span> DRYSIDE TRAINING: DRYLAND EXERCISES TO DO WHEN YOU CAN\u2019T SWIM<\/span><\/strong>
\nby J.R. Rosania<\/strong><\/p>\n
JUNIOR SWIMMER<\/p>\n
063<\/span> GOLDMINDS: THE MOST POWERFUL FORCE IN SWIMMING<\/span><\/strong>
\nby Wayne Goldsmith<\/strong>
\nThe greatest power that swimmers can possess is the power of choice. With that one power, all swimmers\u2014regardless of age, experience or level of swimming capability\u2014can accelerate their improvement and realize the full extent of their potential.<\/p>\n
072<\/span> UP & COMERS: FINN CONLEY<\/strong><\/span>
\nby Shoshanna Rutemiller<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
COLUMNS<\/p>\n
010<\/span> A VOICE FOR THE SPORT<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
051<\/span> DID YOU KNOW? 1920 U.S. <\/strong><\/span>WOMEN\u2019S OLYMPIC TEAM<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
073<\/span> GUTTERTALK<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n
074<\/span> PARTING SHOT<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Sister Act: Gretchen and Alex Walsh Chasing The Ultimate Dream… Together By David Rieder Alex and Gretchen Walsh have worked their way up the pecking order of American swimming, and<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5977,"featured_media":434225,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"dois","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[3,16],"tags":[52974,25272,123570,58437,24068,54417,123569,4509],"class_list":["post-434224","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-featured","category-swimming-world-magazine","tag-alex-walsh","tag-david-rieder","tag-gretchen-and-alex-walsh","tag-gretchen-walsh","tag-harpeth-hall","tag-swimming-world-magazine","tag-swimming-world-may-june-2020","tag-university-of-virginia"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"yoast_head":"\r\nSwimming World Presents "Sister Act: Gretchen and Alex Walsh Chasing The Ultimate Dream... 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