FLASH! Gretchen Walsh Pops World Record in 100 Butterfly During TYR Pro Series Prelims<\/strong><\/p>\n

One night after setting an American record in the 50-meter butterfly at the TYR Pro Series in Fort Lauderdale, Gretchen Walsh<\/strong> took things a step further during prelims of the 100 butterfly. On Saturday morning at the International Swimming Hall of Fame, Walsh clocked a time of 55.09 for the 100 fly, an effort that bettered her previous global standard of 55.18. The prior record was set at last year’s United States Olympic Trials in Indianapolis.<\/p>\n

En route to the latest world record of her career, Walsh was out in 25.54 and came home in 29.55. She earned the top seed for the final by more than two seconds, with Alex Shackell<\/strong> finishing second in the morning in 57.95. In her previous world record, Walsh was out in 25.45 and came home in 29.73. Now, all eyes will be on whether Walsh can take the world record below 55 seconds during the evening final.<\/p>\n

Walsh is the reigning Olympic silver medalist in the 100 butterfly, having been part of an American 1-2 finish at the Paris Games last summer. In that race, Walsh finished behind Torri Huske. She owns the four-fastest times in event history, having also gone 55.31 and 55.38.<\/p>\n