Get ready to dive into the thrilling world of collegiate swimming, where records are shattered and rivalries run deep! The 2026 Sterkel Classic wasn’t just another meet—it was a preview of the SEC Championships, and the stakes were higher than ever. Held on January 31, 2026, at the iconic Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swimming Center in Austin, TX, this short course yards (SCY) event brought together powerhouses Texas, TCU, Incarnate Word, and Trinity for a showdown that left fans on the edge of their seats. But here’s where it gets controversial: Did this meet truly predict who’ll dominate the SEC Championships, or were some swimmers holding back their best? Let’s dive into the highlights and let you decide.
Women’s Recap: Texas Dominates, But TCU and Incarnate Word Make Waves
The Longhorn women stole the show, sweeping the top three spots in the 100 butterfly. Campbell Stoll led the charge with a blistering 51.74, followed by Sarah Rodrigues (54.36) and Alexa Fulton (55.10). But here’s the part most people miss: Haley McDonald and Avery Collins’s battle in the 400 IM wasn’t just about winning—it was about pushing each other to new heights. McDonald clinched the victory in 4:12.55, with Collins just 0.18 seconds behind. Nikoletta Padar continued Texas’s dominance, winning the 200 free in 1:43.81, while Angie Coe notched a lifetime best of 1:44.09 for second place.
Texas’s Lindsey Hosch and Ella Mongenel went 1-2 in the 100 breast, finishing in 1:03.03 and 1:03.77, respectively—over three seconds ahead of the competition. Hosch later showcased her versatility with a 2:16.19 in the 200 breast. Emma Kern secured Texas’s victory in the 100 back with a 52.25, while Inez Miller claimed the 100 free title as the only swimmer under 50 seconds (49.75). Eva Okaro sealed the deal for Texas in the 50 free, clocking an impressive 21.84.
TCU’s Seanna Muhitch topped the 500 free with a 5:07.19, outpacing Incarnate Word’s Teha Molina De La Rosa and Lauren Matula. Sydney Inman and Stella Todd went 1-2 for TCU in the 200 IM, both posting season-best times. Taylor Steelman added another win for the Horned Frogs in the 200 back (1:59.79), while Emma Herrera dominated the diving events, winning both the 1-meter (292.35) and 3-meter (325.90). Incarnate Word’s Adriana Roldan crushed the 200 fly, finishing nearly three seconds ahead of the field in 2:03.88.
Men’s Recap: Texas Shines, But TCU and Incarnate Word Challenge the Status Quo
Nate Germonprez, Texas’s sprint breaststroke ace, delivered a commanding performance in the 100 breast, clocking 51.00—his fourth-fastest time this season. But here’s the question: Is Germonprez saving his best for the SEC Championships, or is this his peak? His teammate Will Scholtz followed closely in 53.68. Hubert Kos, stepping out of his comfort zone in the 400 IM, finished first for the Longhorns in 3:38.66, just shy of his career best. Spencer Aurnou-Rhees clocked a personal best of 3:42.54 for second place.
Rex Maurer and Kyle Peck went 1-2 in the 200 fly, both dropping lifetime bests of 1:41.71 and 1:41.73, respectively. Aurnou-Rhees later posted his fastest 200 IM of the season (1:43.99), while Sasha Lyubavskiy and Manning Haskal swept the 1650 free for Texas, finishing in 14:58.96 and 15:01.14, respectively.
The Longhorns’ Will Modglin, Campbell McKean, and Garrett Gould swept the 100 fly, all breaking 47 seconds. Calvin Fry hit the NCAA qualifying time in the 200 free with a personal-best 1:33.08, leading another Texas sweep. Evan Bailey dominated the 500 free, finishing nearly nine seconds ahead of the field in 4:20.56. Rafael Fente Damers won the 50 free for Texas in 19.61, edging out Incarnate Word’s Luis De Oliveira (19.75).
TCU’s Edgar Cicanci claimed the 100 back title in 46.76, while Nikola Koltin won the 200 breast in 1:58.89. Peter Horton narrowly defeated De Oliveira in the 100 free (43.71 to 43.79), and Cicanci teamed up with Filip Suchanski to go 1-2 in the 200 back for the Horned Frogs.
The Big Question: Who’s Truly Ready for the SEC Championships?
As the dust settles on the 2026 Sterkel Classic, one question lingers: Did Texas’s dominance solidify their SEC Championship prospects, or did TCU and Incarnate Word expose vulnerabilities? Share your thoughts in the comments—we want to hear your take! And don’t forget to check out the full results here to dive deeper into the action.
