Get ready for an epic swimming showdown! The 2026 Eddie Reese Texas Showdown is here, pitting the University of Texas against Louisville and Ohio State in a thrilling competition. With all three schools ranked among the top 20 in both men's and women's categories, this meet promises an intense battle. Texas enters as the favorite, boasting the No. 1 ranking for their men's team and a close No. 2 ranking for the women, according to the latest CCSCA polls. Louisville and Ohio State are not far behind, with both schools' rosters ranked in the top 10 for both genders.
But here's where it gets controversial... the results are coming in a bit out of order! Let's dive into the action.
In the women's 50-yard breaststroke, Louisville's Anna Ingaki took the gold with a time of 28.91, closely followed by Texas' Haley McDonald at 29.16. Ohio State's Krista Marlin claimed third with a time of 29.48.
Texas dominated the men's 50-yard breaststroke with a 1-2 finish. Nate Germonprez won with an impressive time of 23.56, while his teammate Campbell McKean took second at 24.02. Louisville's Finnley Conklin rounded out the top three at 24.30.
Texas' Campbell Chase easily won the women's 400-yard IM, finishing in 4:08.09 and leaving the competition in her wake. Ohio State's Jessica Eden and Adair Shaw claimed second and third, respectively, with times of 4:13.81 and 4:15.94.
Louisville showcased its strength in the women's 50-yard butterfly, taking the top two spots. Julia Dennis led the way with a time of 23.78, followed by her teammate Karoline Barrett at 24.24. Texas' Alexa Fulton secured third with a time of 24.50.
The men's 50-yard butterfly was a tight race, with Ohio State's Matthew Klinge edging out Texas' Garrett Gould by just 0.02 seconds. Louisville's Aiden Musso and Rian Graham tied for third, both touching the wall in 20.84.
Texas continued its dominance in the men's 400-yard IM, with Cooper Lucas taking first in 3:41.87. His teammate Spencer Aurnou-Rhees claimed second, narrowly beating Louisville's Tommy Bried by less than 0.2 seconds.
In the women's 50-yard backstroke, Ohio State's Kk LeBlanc took the gold with a time of 24.74. Louisville's Abby Karl claimed silver, finishing just 0.2 seconds behind. Texas' Sienna Schellenger nearly broke the 25-second barrier but settled for third with a time of 25.02.
The men's 50-yard backstroke was a close contest, with Louisville's Filip Kosinski winning by a slim margin of 0.04 seconds over Texas' Kyle Peck. Louisville's Nate Thomas secured third with a time of 22.69.
And this is the part most people miss... the relays! The women's and men's 400-yard medley relays are always a highlight, showcasing the depth and teamwork of each team.
Stay tuned for more exciting action from the 2026 Eddie Reese Texas Showdown! Who will emerge as the overall champion? Will Texas maintain its dominance, or will Louisville or Ohio State pull off an upset? Find out as the meet unfolds!
Written by Nicole Miller, a seasoned reporter and social media contributor for SwimSwam. Nicole has a passion for swimming and a background in biology and biotechnology. Follow her on SwimSwam for more live recaps and swimming insights! (https://swimswam.com/bio/nicole-miller/)
