An Appreciation of the Versatility and Range of Alex Walsh
Given her status as a world champion and Olympic medalist in the 200-meter individual medley, Alex Walsh is clearly defined by her versatility. A University of Virginia product and Team USA veteran, Walsh was the silver medalist in the 200 IM at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, and she owns three medals in the event from the World Championships, including gold from the 2022 edition in Budapest.
Most recently, Walsh claimed the bronze medal in the 200 IM at the Pan Pacific Championships, clocking 2:07.66 to finish just .21 off the gold-medal pace of China’s Yu Yiting. More, she was the fifth-place finisher in the 400 IM, thanks to a career-best time of 4:33.73. Yet, as superb as Walsh has been in the medley events, she doesn’t get the proper credit for her complete body of work.
Beyond the medley events, Walsh is best known for her ability in the breaststroke disciplines, where she has gone 1:06.50 for the 100-meter distance and 2:22.38 for the 200 distance. But Walsh has also been as quick as 30.54 for one lap, an effort that makes her a top-15 American in history. As for the 100 butterfly, Walsh’s top time sits at 57.59, which places her in the top-20 among Americans.
Further evidence of Walsh’s range can be found in her top backstroke times, as she’s been 1:00.23 in the 100 distance and 2:08.30 in the 200. Those performances, however, come from 2018 and 2019, respectively, so it makes sense that current-day Walsh would have something faster in her arsensal if offered the opportunity to race those events in peak form. For good measure, she’s also been 28.25 in the 50 backstroke.
Finally, Walsh has also established herself in the freestyle events, where she’s been 54.55 in the 100 and 1:57.82 in the 200. Having that talent has enabled Walsh to close out her individual medley races in strong fashion.
Here is a look at the well-rounded talent of Alex Walsh:
Alex Walsh – Top Times
- 50 Freestyle – 25.36
- 100 Freestyle – 54.55
- 200 Freestyle – 1:57.82
- 50 Backstroke – 28.25
- 100 Backstroke – 1:00.23
- 200 Backstroke – 2:08.30
- 50 Breaststroke – 30.54
- 100 Breaststroke – 1:06.50
- 200 Breaststroke – 2:22.38
- 100 Butterfly – 57.59
- 200 Butterfly – 2:10.60
- 200 Medley – 2:07.13
- 400 Medley – 4:33.73
