CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – UVA Athletics will be well represented later this month at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris after a dominant performance throughout both Olympic Trial competitions in Indianapolis and Eugene, Oregon.
Todd Desorbo will lead USA Swim’s Women’s team in the competition and will have five swimmers whose talents he is familiar with from his coaching post with the Cavaliers. Leading the way are three medalists at the Tokyo Games. Former Cavalier Kate Douglass won three gold medals, in the 200 breaststroke, the 100 freestyle, and the 200 IM. Paige Madden won three silver medals, one in the 200 freestyle, and the other two in the 400 and 800 freestyle races. Alex Walsh also added a silver medal in the 200 IM. Alex’s sister Gretchen won gold in the 100 butterfly, and second in the 50-freestyle sprint to qualify for her first ever Olympic games. Lastly, first time Olympian Emma Webber will join the others with a silver medal in the 100-breaststroke final. Gretchen Walsh also set a record in her gold medal race, finishing the 100 butterfly with a World Record time of 55.18.
Joining these Hoos is 17-year-old Virginia commit Thomas Heilmann. He broke a record set by 15-year old Michael Phelps for times in his age bracket by winning gold in the 200 butterfly with a time of 1:54:50. He will be going to his first Olympic games this year and joining the UVA swim team in 2025.
UVA TFXC was less successful in the Track and Field trials at Hayward Field in Oregon this past week, however one former Cavalier was able to notch her first ever Olympic qualification. Bridget Williams came into the Women’s Pole Vault final on Sunday as the 13th and final qualifying vaulter after a rough performance two days before. She finished the competition in 1st with five first attempt clearances in a row to win her first ever Olympic Trials medal and punch her ticket to Paris.
In other sports, former Cavalier Emily Sonnett was named the USWNT in Soccer for the second time after a bronze medal team performance in Tokyo. Two other former Hoos, Danielle Collins and Emma Navarro, also earned spots on the US Women’s tennis team for Paris as well.
The Olympic Games will be broadcast live on NBC and streamed live on Peacock beginning July 24th.
