Virginia Women Secure Fifth Consecutive NCAA Swimming And Diving Title

Forbes

04-04-2025

FEDERAL WAY, WASHINGTON - MARCH 22: The Virginia Cavaliers pose for a team photo with the first ... More place trophy after the Division I Women's Swimming and Diving Championship held at the Weyerhaeuser King County Aquatic Center on March 22, 2025 in Federal Way, Washington. (Photo by Tyler McFarland/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)
The University of Virginia Women's Swimming and Diving team has made history, becoming just the third program ever to win five consecutive NCAA Division I Championship titles in the sport—and the first to do so in nearly thirty years. Stanford (1992–96) and Texas (1984–88) are the only other programs to reach this milestone. The Cavaliers have secured all of these titles under head coach Todd DeSorbo, who has led the team for the past eight years. In addition to accomplishments like serving as head coach of the U.S. women's swim team at the 2024 Paris Olympics, DeSorbo is now the fastest first-time head coach to win five national titles.
The 2025 NCAA Division I Women's Swimming and Diving Championships were held from March 19–22 at the Weyerhaeuser King County Aquatics Center in Federal Way, Washington. Virginia came out on top with a score of 544 points, while Stanford followed with 417 points—a 127-point gap. Ten Cavaliers earned 2025 All-America First Team recognition, while eight received All-America Second Team honors. Swimmers in the A-Finals received First Team All-America honors, and those in the B-Finals were recognized as Second Team All-America.
The Cavaliers captured six individual titles and won four of the five relays, setting six new NCAA and American records. The team, which also earned its sixth consecutive ACC Championship title this season, currently holds all ACC and NCAA relay records. But that's not all.
FEDERAL WAY, WASHINGTON - MARCH 22: Gretchen Walsh of the Virginia Cavaliers lifts a trophy from the ... More podium after the 100 yard freestyle final during the Division I Women's Swimming and Diving Championship held at the Weyerhaeuser King County Aquatic Center on March 22, 2025 in Federal Way, Washington. (Photo by Tyler McFarland/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)
Gretchen Walsh secured the most wins, claiming three individual titles at the championship. A senior and Olympic gold medalist following her debut at the Paris Games, she won the 50 free (20.37), 100 free (44.71) and 100 fly (46.97), setting NCAA records in each event. Walsh was also part of the victorious 200 free relay, 400 free relay, 200 medley relay and 400 medley relay teams. The 200 medley relay set a new NCAA record (1:31.10).
After winning the 100 free, Walsh became the 14th swimmer in NCAA Division I women's championship history to win the same event four times. She finished her career with a total of 25 NCAA titles, including nine individual, and was recently named Division I Women's Swimmer of the Year, while Todd DeSorbo was named Women's Division I Swim Coach of the Year by the College Swimming and Diving Coaches Association of America.
FEDERAL WAY, WASHINGTON - MARCH 22: Claire Curzan of the Virginia Cavaliers looks on from the podium ... More after the 200 yard backstroke final during the Division I Women's Swimming and Diving Championship held at the Weyerhaeuser King County Aquatic Center on March 22, 2025 in Federal Way, Washington. (Photo by Tyler McFarland/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)
Sophomore and Olympic silver medalist Claire Curzan also delivered a strong performance at the championships. In total, she earned six titles, including two individual wins. She captured first in the 100 back (49.11) and 200 back (1:46.82), with her 200 backstroke time setting a new NCAA record.
Curzan previously swam for Stanford, where she won the 200 back (1:47.64) at the 2023 NCAA Championships. She is now the first swimmer to win an individual NCAA event for two different schools. Additionally, she was part of Virginia's four winning relay teams.
FEDERAL WAY, WASHINGTON - MARCH 21: Alex Walsh of the Virginia Cavaliers competes in the 100 yard ... More breaststroke final during the Division I Women's Swimming and Diving Championship held at the Weyerhaeuser King County Aquatic Center on March 21, 2025 in Federal Way, Washington. (Photo by Tyler McFarland/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)
Alex Walsh, a fifth-year swimmer and Olympic silver medalist from the Tokyo Olympic Games, won the 100 breast (56.49), becoming the first swimmer in the NCAA to win an individual title in five separate championship meets. She also contributed to the victories of the 400 free relay, 200 medley relay and 400 medley relay teams.
Walsh is the only swimmer to have been part of five different teams that captured NCAA titles. Over the course of her career, she has earned 23 NCAA titles, including nine individual ones. Walsh and three-time Olympic gold medalist Tracy Caulkins are the only swimmers to capture an individual title in at least five different events at the NCAA Division I Women's Championships.
FEDERAL WAY, WASHINGTON - MARCH 22: The Virginia Cavaliers celebrate with a first place team trophy ... More on the podium after the Division I Women's Swimming and Diving Championship held at the Weyerhaeuser King County Aquatic Center on March 22, 2025 in Federal Way, Washington. (Photo by Tyler McFarland/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)
To put into perspective how successful Virginia has been in recent years, the Cavaliers currently hold 12 of the 19 NCAA swimming records and 11 of the 18 NCAA championship meet records. Forty-five of the 51 individual NCAA event titles in their program history have been won in the past five years. Virginia now ranks sixth in total all-time individual event titles, trailing only Stanford, Florida, Georgia, Texas and California. Although the Walsh sisters have completed their college careers and will not be on the roster next season, Virginia still has the opportunity to win six consecutive Division I titles—a feat no team has ever accomplished in the history of the sport.