In Federal Way, Washington, the Texas Longhorns men’s swimming and diving team clinched their 16th NCAA championship title with significant contributions from star swimmer Hubert Kos. This victory continues Texas’s dominance in the sport since their first win in 1981. The Longhorns previously captured consecutive titles from 1988 to 1991 and again from 2015 to 2018, with their most recent victory before this event in 2021. Texas amassed a total of 490 points, surpassing their closest competitor, California, by 19 points.
Hubert Kos was instrumental in this success, setting two NCAA records while securing three individual titles. He shattered the NCAA record in the 200-yard backstroke, finishing with a time of 1 minute, 34.21 seconds. Earlier in the competition, Kos had set another NCAA record in the 100 backstroke, clocking in at 43.20 seconds. Additionally, he claimed victory in the 200 individual medley with a time of 1:37.91.
Rex Maurer also contributed to Texas’s championship win by capturing two individual titles. He emerged victorious in the 500 freestyle with a time of 4:05.35 and achieved a personal best in the 400 individual medley, finishing in 3:34.00.
In other individual events, Florida’s Josh Liendo excelled by taking the title in the 100 freestyle with a lightning-fast 39.99 seconds. Liendo also triumphed in the 100 butterfly, recording a time of 43.06 seconds.
The 1,650 freestyle was dominated by Zalan Sarkany from Indiana, who completed the race in 14:21.29. Indiana’s Carson Tyler conquered the platform diving event, achieving a score of 480.45, building on his earlier win in the 3-meter diving with 467.45 points.
Georgia’s standout swimmer, Gianluca Urlando, secured the 200 butterfly title with a time of 1:36.43. Florida closed out the meet by capturing the 400 medley relay, completing the race in 2:56.10.
This four-day championship unfolded at the Weyerhaeuser King County Aquatic Center, showcasing exceptional talent and setting new benchmarks in collegiate swimming and diving.