Texas ladies’s swimming and diving sees a season stuffed with alternative forward. After a dominant first 12 months within the Southeastern Conference and a fifth straight top-three end on the NCAA championships, the Longhorns look to proceed their momentum.
Texas carried its commanding presence from the Big 12 to the SEC, capturing a convention title and sweeping All-SEC honors final season with winners in each class. Yet, they fell wanting the title within the NCAA championships, ending third behind Virginia and Stanford.
“I think it was just a really strong reminder that you don’t have to be perfect, but you have to be pretty damn close to win a national championship,” head coach Carol Capitani mentioned. “But is it always about winning in Texas? Maybe some people say that, but we believe it’s about growth.”
In the post-COVID-19 eligibility panorama, the Longhorns misplaced a layer of management and expertise after the commencement of 5 seniors and 5 fifth-years. Last season, fifth-years Emma Sticklen and Abby Arens supplied precious stability and expertise to the workforce, incomes SEC Female Swimmer of the Year and Female Newcomer Swimmer of the Year, respectively. Yet, the workforce’s not dwelling on the change.
“Honestly, I don’t feel the absence of that extra class of people with so much experience as much as I thought I would,” junior Erin Gemmell mentioned. “I feel like when they were on the team, they did a really great job of preparing our current seniors and my class for leading.”
Despite key losses, Texas returns with an skilled lineup, a number of of whom competed in worldwide competitions over the summer season. Gemmell certified for the 2025 World Aquatics Championships in Singapore, inserting second within the 4×200-meter free and serving to Team USA safe silver within the 4×100-meter free relay. Gemmell now steps right into a management position that fifth-years have beforehand supplied.
Sophomore Jillian Cox, final season’s SEC Freshman Swimmer of the Year, additionally certified to compete for Team USA on the World Aquatics Championships. Cox headlines a gifted sophomore class after profitable NCAA titles within the 500 and 1650-yard free.
“I think what we have this year is a lot of opportunity,” Capitani mentioned. “It was awesome having the leadership of that fifth year, but that’s gone now, right? And so there’s a freshness.”
On the diving aspect, sophomore Alejandra Estudillo Torres returns because the reigning NCAA 3-meter champion. Torres earned SEC Female Co-Diver of the Year and Freshman Diver of the Year honors final season and positioned second within the 10-meter synchro on the World Aquatics Championships this summer season.
Texas additionally welcomes a number of extremely regarded freshmen, together with No. 5 recruit Haley McDonald, and Olympic qualifiers Nikoletta Padar and Eva Okaro.
The id of the workforce could evolve, however the tradition of progress and alternative stays constant. This season, the Longhorns look to embrace these alternatives to maneuver ahead with success.
“We can’t just rely on the people (who) have been here forever. Everybody needs to do their part,” Capitani mentioned. “So I think that’s where the opportunity comes from.”