[5] Grimes spent her early childhood in Las Vegas, and began her career swimming for the Sandpipers competitive team in Nevada.

[13][14] Grimes entered to compete in the 800 meter freestyle at the 2021 World Short Course Championships held at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates in December.

[17] December 18, Grimes officially withdrew from competition alongside teammate Lydia Jacoby and did not race in the final of the 800 meter freestyle due to COVID-19 pandemic-related protocols in place at the championships.

[21] At the 2022 US International Team Trials in Greensboro, North Carolina in late April, she placed fourth in the 800 meter freestyle with a time of 8:22.73.

[30] In the final of the 1500 meter freestyle on day five, she swam a 15:51.36, placing second and qualifying for the World Championships team in the event.

[31] For the 10 kilometre marathon swim at the first leg of the 2022 Marathon Swim World Series, held at Albarquel in Setúbal, Portugal in late May, Grimes placed eighth overall, ranked eighth amongst female competitors in terms of points scored, and ranked as the highest-scoring female American competitor.

[35] She swam a personal best time of 15:44.89 in the final to win the silver medal, finishing over four full seconds ahead of bronze medalist Lani Pallister.