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Hometown Hero: Nashville’s Gretchen Walsh Wins Silver in Olympic 100-Meter Butterfly

Issue #164

30 Jul

In this What’s Up Columbia issue…

🗓 List of Upcoming Events

⛅️ Columbia Weather - Partly cloudy with a high of 94

🥈 Hometown Hero: Nashville’s Gretchen Walsh Wins Silver in Olympic 100-Meter Butterfly

☕️ Tonight: Towne Coffee to Host Bunco With Benefits

🏐 The Hustle Factory Volleyball Club - Register Now For Fall League 🏐
 
🎭 Fri-Sun: Sherlock The Musical

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

📣 We Want To Spotlight Your Business! Apply Here

🗓 Know of Some Local Events Not Listed? Send us the Details!

Upcoming Local Events

🗓 Have an event to add? Send us the Details!

Tuesday, July 30th

Wednesday, July 31st

Thursday, August 1st

Friday, August 2nd

Saturday, August 3rd

Sunday, August 4th

Hometown Hero: Nashville’s Gretchen Walsh Wins Silver in Olympic 100-Meter Butterfly

Nashville native Gretchen Walsh narrowly missed her first Olympic gold medal by just four-hundredths of a second in the 100-meter butterfly final at the 2024 Paris Games. The Harpeth Hall graduate completed the race in 55.63 seconds, finishing just behind her U.S. teammate, Torri Huske, who surged ahead to win in 55.59 seconds. After the race, Walsh and Huske walked the pool deck together, celebrating their achievement.

Walsh was a top contender going into the Games, having set a world record of 55.18 during the U.S. Olympic Swimming Trials in Indianapolis last month and an Olympic record of 55.38 in the semifinals on Saturday. In addition to her near-gold finish in the butterfly, Walsh won a silver medal as part of the 400-meter relay team, which included Kate Douglass, Huske, and Simone Manuel. The team finished in a U.S. record time of 3:30.20, with Walsh swimming the second leg in 52.55 seconds, the second-fastest split on the team.

At 21 years old, Walsh has an impressive record, including 21 All-American titles, 18 NCAA championships, and three consecutive national titles with Virginia. She will also compete in the 50 freestyle, beginning on August 3.

Gretchen's journey in swimming began in Nashville, where her parents introduced her to the sport at a young age. Her mother, Glynis, reminisced about Gretchen's early days, picturing her as a four-year-old with a swimming cap, making funny faces.

Gretchen is not the only Walsh competing in Paris. Her older sister, Alex Walsh, will participate in the 200 individual medley starting on August 2. Alex, who won a silver medal in the event at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, has a remarkable collegiate record with 19 NCAA titles and 27 All-American honors during her four years at Virginia. Alex and Gretchen also share a collaboration deal with a swimsuit company, highlighting their close bond and shared journey in the sport.

Tonight: Towne Coffee to Host Bunco With Benefits

So excited to announce our next Coffee and Community event. We will be hosting Bunco with Benefits Tuesday, July 30th from 6-8pm at Towne Coffee. The brainchild of @BethLindsey from @connectsouthcentraltennessee, Bunco with Benefits will hold monthly games to raise money for local charities. The charity for July is The Well Outreach. The goal is to support the JetPack Project that provides nutritious, non-perishable food to hungry children of food-deficient households for the weekend during the school year.

6:00 - 8:00 PM
1201 N. Commerce St., Columbia

🏐 The Hustle Factory Volleyball Club - Register Now For Fall League 🏐

Are you looking for a place where young athletes can grow not only in their volleyball skills but also as individuals? Discover Hustle Factory Volleyball Club (HFVC).

Located at Hustle Factory Sports Complex in Spring Hill and their new branch in Columbia, HFVC offers an inclusive environment for girls ages 7-18 to thrive both on and off the court. 

Founded in 2022 by Tim Cooper, HFVC aims to inspire and challenge players, fostering growth in all aspects of life. Tim’s extensive background, including playing and coaching volleyball for nearly a decade, informs the club’s holistic approach. His experiences range from coaching beginners to college athletes and even leading teams in international competitions in Thailand and West Africa.

“Our club is distinctive from other volleyball and youth sports clubs in that we are focused on the individuals holistic development. While developing their athletic skills is a priority for our club it does not override the importance of character development and helping them to mature into kind, responsible and confident adults. We believe that a coach is able to connect with young athletes in a way parents, teachers and peers cannot. Our coaches are trained and encouraged to look for teachable moments and to develop healthy coach/player relationships throughout the season.” 

The club offers a variety of opportunities to get involved:

  • Seasonal Leagues: Fall, Winter, and Spring leagues cater to beginners and those new to volleyball.

  • Summer Camps: Available for all skill levels, these camps are perfect for honing volleyball skills in a fun, supportive environment.

  • Private Lessons: Personalized coaching sessions with experienced trainers.

  • Travel Teams: Competitive play through club teams and travel seasons.

Exciting news: HFVC is expanding with a new branch in Columbia at the Macedonia Recreation Center with hopes this will be closer to those communities without a volleyball club near them such as Pulaski, Hohenwald, etc. 

Don’t miss the upcoming Fall League starting on August 12th in Spring Hill and August 15th in Columbia. Spots are limited, so be sure to register soon!

For more information, visit Hustle Factory Volleyball Club and check out their volleyball leagues. Join HFVC and be part of a community that’s about more than just sports—it’s about shaping future leaders.

Locations:

Hustle Factory Sports Complex - 5191 Joe Peay Rd, Spring Hill, TN 
HFVC Columbia - 501 Armstrong St., Columbia, TN

Fri-Sun: Sherlock The Musical

Sherlock faces his greatest case yet in this original upbeat musical adaptation. Sherlock fans will love the timeless stories, quotes and anecdotes as well as those who just love a good musical or a bit of mystery! 3 chances to see this beautiful adaptation. August 2, 3 and 4. **Tickets available online only - not sold at the door**

The Building Block School For the Arts
1309 S. Main St., Columbia

🎵 This Week’s Live Music 🎵

Tuesday, July 30th

Jay Hoppus, Puckett's, 6-7:30 PM

Wednesday, July 31st

Kayleigh Mathews, Puckett's, 6-7:30 PM

Thursday, August 1st

Taylor Hughes, Puckett's, 6-7:30 PM
Todd Ciprian, Tito's Spring Hill, 6-9 PM
Neal Pennington, McCreary's Irish Pub, 7-9 PM

Friday, August 2nd

Box of Rox, Grinder's Switch Winery, 7-9 PM
The Sternwheelers, McCreary's Irish Pub, 7-9 PM
The Austin Brothers, Puckett's, 7:30-9 PM
Black Hole Sons, Fozzy's Bar & Grill, 8-11 PM

Saturday, August 3rd

Crossbridges, Amber Falls Winery, 3-7 PM
Tom Saffel & Robert Johnson, McCreary's Irish Pub, 7-9 PM
2 Way Mirror, The Tilted Mule, 7 PM
Boomerang, Puckett's, 7:30-9 PM
New Binge Music, Fozzy's Bar & Grill, 8-11 PM
The Wentzel Brothers Band, Ember’s Bar & Grill, 8-11 PM

Sunday, August 4th

Braise Killen, Amber Falls Winery, 1-5 PM
Gentry Blue, Rebel Bar & Grill, 4-7 PM
Archer, Fozzy's Bar & Grill, 5-8 PM
Brian & Aletha Golden, Puckett's, 6-7:30 PM

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