On Standby Duty, Erin Gemmell Comes Through for Team USA in 400 Freestyle Relay
Due to the stomach bug that has ravaged the Team USA roster in the leadup to the World Championships, and during the first day of competition in Singapore, Erin Gemmell was given a warning: Be ready. After racing in the prelims of the 400-meter freestyle relay, Gemmell was initially expected to sit out the evening final. However, the coaching staff told the University of Texas standout to be ready – just in case.
Indeed, Gemmell got the call for the final of the 400 free relay when Gretchen Walsh was removed from the squad due to illness. While Walsh raced the semifinals of the 100 butterfly, and advanced to the final, she couldn’t go in the relay, and Gemmell got the nod to replace her on the third leg. The United States was able to make the late switch because Walsh was dealing with a medical issue.
On her third leg, Gemmell delivered a split of 53.17 and kept the U.S. in the battle for the gold medal with Australia. Ultimately, the Aussies claimed the gold medal, but Gemmell handled herself superbly in a pressure-filled situation. Her performance is a positive sign for later in the week, when Gemmell is expected to compete in the 200 freestyle and as a member of the American 800 freestyle relay.
“I mean, they kind of told me that I needed to be ready,” Gemmell said. “And when someone tells you that you’re going to be on a final relay for Team USA, I feel like you sort of ‘lock in,’ and you get in the zone. I’m really proud of what I was able to do with
that.”
