The 2026 Longhorn Elite Invite: Day 3 Finals was a thrilling showcase of swimming talent, with several standout performances and record-breaking swims. Here's a recap of the day's events, along with my personal commentary and analysis.
Women's 200 Fly
Top 3 Finishers:
1. Summer McIntosh (TXLA) - 2:04.06
2. Regan Smith (TXLA) - 2:04.73
3. Lindsay Looney (TXLA) - 2:09.36
What makes this event particularly fascinating is the battle between McIntosh and Smith, who are both training partners and among the fastest swimmers in the world. McIntosh's win in 2:04.06 was a season best, and her split times were impressive, showcasing her speed and technique. Smith, despite finishing second, also set a new season best, touching in 2:04.73. This event highlights the depth of talent in women's swimming and the competitive nature of the sport.
Men's 200 Fly
Top 3 Finishers:
1. Hubert Kos (TXLA) - 1:55.11
2. Cooper Lucas (TXLA) - 1:58.52
3. Tyler Ray (TXLA) - 1:58.54
One thing that immediately stands out is Kos's dominance in this event. His win in 1:55.11 was a new lifetime best, and his split times were exceptional, showcasing his speed and endurance. Lucas and Ray, both from Texas, finished in a close second and third place, respectively, with Lucas just two hundredths of a second ahead of Ray. This event demonstrates the competitive nature of men's swimming and the high level of performance at the Longhorn Elite Invite.
Women's 50 Free
Top 3 Finishers:
1. Simone Manuel (TXLA) - 24.82
2. Erin Gemmell (TXLA) - 25.59
3. Alexa Fulton (TXLA) - 25.71
What many people don't realize is the speed and versatility of Simone Manuel. Her win in 24.82 was a testament to her exceptional technique and speed. Gemmell and Fulton, both from Texas, finished in second and third place, respectively, with Gemmell setting a new season best. This event showcases the depth of talent in women's sprint freestyle and the competitive nature of the sport.
Men's 50 Free
Top 3 Finishers:
1. Chris Guiliano (TXLA) - 22.39
2. Rafael Fente-Damers (TXLA) - 22.84
3. Ben Scholl (AGS) - 23.02
If you take a step back and think about it, the men's 50 free is a fascinating event, with Guiliano's win in 22.39 being a remarkable achievement. Fente-Damers and Scholl, both from Texas, finished in second and third place, respectively, with Scholl setting a new season best. This event highlights the speed and versatility of men's sprint freestyle and the competitive nature of the sport.
Women's 100 Back
Top 3 Finishers:
1. Regan Smith (TXLA) - 58.01
2. Sarah Rodrigues (TXLA) - 1:02.30
3. Karly Whitehead (UN) - 1:02.78
A detail that I find especially interesting is the performance of Regan Smith in the women's 100 backstroke. Her win in 58.01 was a testament to her exceptional technique and speed, and she was the only athlete in the field under 30 seconds on the opening 50. Rodrigues and Whitehead, both from Texas, finished in second and third place, respectively, with Whitehead setting a new personal best. This event showcases the depth of talent in women's backstroke and the competitive nature of the sport.
Men's 100 Back
Top 3 Finishers:
1. Hubert Kos (TXLA) - 53.76
2. Joe Hayburn (LOYO) - 54.09
3. Jack Wilkening (TXLA) - 54.62
What this really suggests is the dominance of Hubert Kos in the men's 100 backstroke. His win in 53.76 was a remarkable achievement, and he was the only swimmer in the event under 54 seconds. Hayburn and Wilkening, both from Texas, finished in second and third place, respectively, with Hayburn setting a new personal best. This event highlights the speed and technique of men's backstroke and the competitive nature of the sport.
Women's 200 Breast
Top 3 Finishers:
1. Anna Elendt (TXLA) - 2:25.76
2. Piper Enge (TXLA) - 2:31.66
3. Hannah O'Leary (AQTX) - 2:32.94
The women's 200 breaststroke is a challenging event, and Anna Elendt's win in 2:25.76 was a testament to her exceptional technique and endurance. Enge and O'Leary, both from Texas, finished in second and third place, respectively, with O'Leary setting a new personal best. This event showcases the depth of talent in women's breaststroke and the competitive nature of the sport.
Men's 200 Breast
Top 3 Finishers:
1. Campbell McKean (TXLA) - 2:13.14
2. Nate Germonprez (TXLA) - 2:14.92
3. Baylor Nelson (TXLA) - 2:16.68
The men's 200 breaststroke is a challenging event, and Campbell McKean's win in 2:13.14 was a remarkable achievement. Germonprez and Nelson, both from Texas, finished in second and third place, respectively, with Germonprez setting a new personal best. This event highlights the depth of talent in men's breaststroke and the competitive nature of the sport.
Women's 50 Fly
Top 3 Finishers:
1. Simone Manuel (TXLA) - 26.85
2. Hanne Peeters (NTRO) - 27.48
3. Erin Gemmell (TXLA) - 27.74
The women's 50 fly is a fast and exciting event, and Simone Manuel's win in 26.85 was a testament to her exceptional technique and speed. Peeters and Gemmell, both from Texas, finished in second and third place, respectively, with Gemmell setting a new season best. This event showcases the speed and versatility of women's sprint butterfly and the competitive nature of the sport.
Men's 50 Fly
Top 3 Finishers:
1. Shaine Casas (TXLA) - 23.37
2. Garrett Gould (TXLA) - 24.14
3. Logan Walker (TXLA) - 24.22
The men's 50 fly is a fast and exciting event, and Shaine Casas's win in 23.37 was a remarkable achievement. Gould and Walker, both from Texas, finished in second and third place, respectively, with Gould setting a new season best. This event highlights the speed and technique of men's sprint butterfly and the competitive nature of the sport.
Women's 400 Free
Top 3 Finishers:
1. Summer McIntosh (TXLA) - 4:01.13
2. Jillian Cox (TXLA) - 4:13.10
3. Lillie Nesty (TXLA) - 4:13.69
The women's 400 freestyle is a challenging event, and Summer McIntosh's win in 4:01.13 was a testament to her exceptional technique and endurance. Cox and Nesty, both from Texas, finished in second and third place, respectively, with Nesty setting a new personal best. This event showcases the depth of talent in women's freestyle and the competitive nature of the sport.
Men's 400 Free
Top 3 Finishers:
1. Summer McIntosh (TXLA) - 3:52.13
2. Rex Maurer (USA) - 3:54.32
3. Luke Hobson (TXLA) - 3:55.21
The men's 400 freestyle is a challenging event, and Summer McIntosh's win in 3:52.13 was a remarkable achievement. Maurer and Hobson, both from Texas, finished in second and third place, respectively, with Maurer setting a new personal best. This event highlights the depth of talent in men's freestyle and the competitive nature of the sport.
In conclusion, the 2026 Longhorn Elite Invite: Day 3 Finals was a thrilling showcase of swimming talent, with several standout performances and record-breaking swims. The event highlighted the depth of talent in women's and men's swimming, the competitive nature of the sport, and the exceptional technique and endurance of the athletes. It was a pleasure to witness such a high-level competition and to see the future of swimming being forged before our eyes.
