Texas women’s swimming and diving sees a season full of opportunity ahead. After a dominant first year in the Southeastern Conference and a fifth straight top-three finish at the NCAA championships, the Longhorns look to continue their momentum.
Texas carried its commanding presence from the Big 12 to the SEC, capturing a conference title and sweeping All-SEC honors last season with winners in every category. Yet, they fell short of the title in the NCAA championships, finishing 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 said. “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 landscape, the Longhorns lost a layer of leadership and experience after the graduation of five seniors and five fifth-years. Last season, fifth-years Emma Sticklen and Abby Arens provided valuable stability and talent to the team, earning SEC Female Swimmer of the Year and Female Newcomer Swimmer of the Year, respectively. Yet, the team’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 said. “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 experienced lineup, several of whom competed in international competitions over the summer. Gemmell qualified for the 2025 World Aquatics Championships in Singapore, placing second in the 4×200-meter free and helping Team USA secure silver in the 4×100-meter free relay. Gemmell now steps into a leadership role that fifth-years have previously provided.
Sophomore Jillian Cox, last season’s SEC Freshman Swimmer of the Year, also qualified to compete for Team USA at the World Aquatics Championships. Cox headlines a talented sophomore class after winning NCAA titles in the 500 and 1650-yard free.
“I think what we have this year is a lot of opportunity,” Capitani said. “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 side, sophomore Alejandra Estudillo Torres returns as the reigning NCAA 3-meter champion. Torres earned SEC Female Co-Diver of the Year and Freshman Diver of the Year honors last season and placed second in the 10-meter synchro at the World Aquatics Championships this summer.
Texas also welcomes several highly regarded freshmen, including No. 5 recruit Haley McDonald, and Olympic qualifiers Nikoletta Padar and Eva Okaro.
The identity of the team may evolve, but the culture of growth and opportunity remains consistent. This season, the Longhorns look to embrace those opportunities to move forward with success.
“We can’t just rely on the people (who) have been here forever. Everybody needs to do their part,” Capitani said. “So I think that’s where the opportunity comes from.”
