One of the benefits of being a dominant force in swimming is the ability to shift strategies without losing momentum.
The Virginia Cavaliers took full advantage of this flexibility on the opening night of the 2025 ACC Swimming and Diving Championships in Greensboro, making a powerful statement with their lineup decisions.
Rather than loading up their strongest swimmers in the 200 medley relay, Virginia made an unconventional move—reserving their biggest names for the 800 freestyle relay, an event that has historically been their weakest. This decision paid off spectacularly, as the Cavaliers not only secured victory but smashed the U.S. Open and NCAA records in the process.
Breaking Records in the 800 Free Relay
Virginia’s team of Gretchen Walsh, Alex Walsh, Aimee Canny, and Claire Curzan clocked an astonishing 6:44.13, obliterating the previous NCAA record of 6:45.91 set by Stanford in 2017.
This dominant performance saw Virginia post the four fastest relay splits of the entire field. Their lead swimmer, Gretchen Walsh, set an ACC record with a 1:39.34 split, making it the second-fastest 200-yard freestyle in history, trailing only Missy Franklin’s 1:39.10 from the 2015 NCAA Championships.
Split Comparison: Virginia vs. Stanford (Previous Record Holders)
| Leg | Virginia (2025) | Stanford (2017) |
| 1st | Gretchen Walsh – 1:39.34 | Simone Manuel – 1:41.41 |
| 2nd | Alex Walsh – 1:41.87 | Lia Neal – 1:42.15 |
| 3rd | Aimee Canny – 1:42.03 | Ella Eastin – 1:41.89 |
| 4th | Claire Curzan – 1:40.89 | Katie Ledecky – 1:40.46 |
| Total Time | 6:44.13 | 6:45.91 |
While the previous Stanford relay featured Olympic medalists Katie Ledecky, Lia Neal, and Simone Manuel, Virginia’s record-breaking relay included South African swimmer Aimee Canny, making the American record still belong to Stanford.
Virginia’s 800 Free Relay Legacy Continues
Virginia has never focused heavily on the 800 free relay, often waiting until the ACC Championships to showcase their full strength. Yet, despite this, they have dominated the event for nearly two decades, having won it every year since 2007.
Their performance at this year’s championship solidifies them as the first program since Stanford in 2019 to hold all five NCAA relay records simultaneously. Given Stanford’s dominance from 2017 to 2019—where they won three consecutive NCAA titles—this achievement underscores Virginia’s growing reputation as an unstoppable powerhouse in collegiate swimming.
All-Time Top Performers in Women’s 200 Free
| Rank | Swimmer | Time | Year |
| 1 | Missy Franklin (Cal) | 1:39.10 | 2015 |
| 2 | Gretchen Walsh (Virginia) | 1:39.34 | 2025 |
| 3 | Mallory Comerford (Louisville) | 1:39.80 | 2018 |
| 4 | Katie Ledecky (Stanford) | 1:40.36 | 2017 |
| 5 | Simone Manuel (Stanford) | 1:40.37 | 2017 |
| 6 | Taylor Ruck (Stanford) | 1:40.37 | 2019 |
| 7 | Allison Schmitt (NBAC) | 1:40.62 | 2015 |
| 8 | Summer McIntosh (Sarasota Sharks) | 1:40.63 | 2022 |
| 9 | Siobhan Haughey (Michigan) | 1:40.69 | 2018 |
| 10 | Bella Sims (Sandpipers of Nevada) | 1:40.78 | 2022 |
Looking Ahead: What’s Next for Virginia?
With Virginia’s swimmers delivering historic performances at the 2025 ACC Championships, they are now poised to make an even bigger impact at the NCAA Championships. Their ability to dominate across all relay events puts them in contention for their fifth consecutive NCAA title, cementing their dynasty in collegiate swimming.
If their ACC performance is any indication, Virginia will continue to redefine the limits of the sport, breaking records and setting new standards for excellence in the pool.
