The first night of the Texas Invitational began well for the Longhorns as the 200 freestyle relay team appeared in top form. Sophomore Matt Ellis started the relay, followed by sophomore John Murray and seniors Charlie Moore and Caleb Weir. The Longhorns finished in 1:17.57, a NCAA automatic-qualifying mark. 

Assistant coach Kris Kubik felt this meet would be a proper gauge of where the men stood as the fall season came to a close, and the Longhorns did not disappoint. 

Junior Tripp Cooper secured Texas’ top finish in the 100 butterfly and clocked a 47.27 for second place in the consolation final.

The Longhorn freshman class also came prepared and contributed immensely in the competitive atmosphere at the Lee and Joe Jamail Swimming Center on Thursday night. Freshman Will Licon took the win in the 200 individual medley consolation final with a time of 1:45.98 while freshman Will Glass took second in 1:47.02. 

Texas would conclude the first night of competition with a third place finish in the 400 medley relay at 3:08.80, good for its second NCAA automatic-qualifying mark of the night.