Gretchen is set for her world championships debut after falling achingly close the past few years. She came into last month’s U.S. nationals on a high following the NCAA season, which also included two individual event titles, and said her strong performance at the U.S. meet put her on “Cloud 9.”

Gretchen will be busy in Fukuoka, swimming the 50 free, 50 and 100 fly, and the 4x100 free relay.

“Honestly, I definitely feel confident right now,” she said. “I think in the past, there may subconsciously been some doubts. I’ve always been working hard, trying to work through those feelings. I needed to figure out what was hindering me, in my performance, at the end of the day.

“I’ve learned to embrace being comfortable with being uncomfortable now. It’s a new thing I have taken on. I need to take out races, hold on and embrace that it is going to hurt — right from the start. No holding back.”

The sisters are two of five current or former Cavaliers on the women’s side of Team USA, bringing an extra layer of allyship.

“I really thrive in team-oriented meets, so having something like this, competing with Team USA, is fun for me,” Gretchen said. “I love us all being together and being there for each other.”

Gretchen semi-jokes that she does not want any advice from her big sis regarding worlds. Alex just laughs, and says she is going to let Gretchen figure things out on her own — but will be always available for a chat. The Nashville natives are rooming together for the trip and are looking forward to sharing some food and touristy adventures in Singapore and Japan in their free time.

“It’s huge, and I definitely had the confidence that she could do it,” Alex said, regarding Gretchen’s first worlds appearance. “… I was in awe watching her swim. It’s so amazing to see how her mindset was in the first race (of nationals). I was so nervous for her because there are so many expectations placed on her. This is her goal, and she has been dreaming of this for so many years.”

The sisters are now upperclasswomen at UVA, with Gretchen a junior and Alex a senior. Both credit the NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) changes within the NCAA, allowing athletes to earn money through outside endorsements, for extending their time in school. Both had planned to swim for two years in college, then turn pro, in order to maximize their career opportunities. Now they’re staying in school until they graduate.

Alex’s Olympic medal opened the door for endorsement attention and turned into the sisters branding themselves together. They are brand ambassadors and have their own signature swimwear line with online retailer SwimOutlet. They help design the collections and serve as models. The bonus is seeing their suits being enjoyed, from swim teams to their own younger cousins.

“I am really most grateful for the experience I have had collegiately,” Alex said. “NIL laws were not around my first year, they had just gotten passed. I feel very fortunate to capitalize off my hard work and talent, with the 20 hours a week I have to swim here (school)…I think people forget that a lot of athletes’ careers peak in college. We may not have a lot of years to pursue this. So I am very happy to live out this dream and my dream of being on a college team. Winning national championships.”

Gretchen added, “I think NIL is the greatest thing to happen for student-athletes. Now I get the best of both worlds. ... It’s really cool to be in a relationship with somebody who appreciates the work that I do.”

Stars On The Rise, Walsh Sisters Alex And Gretchen Gear Up For First Swimming Worlds Together

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