Freshmen Won Multiple Events at Texas Swim Meet
The Longhorns looked to new talent during the intrasquad meet on September 25.
Updated on Sept. 26, 2026 in Swimming
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Longhorns fans got a glimpse of the season ahead as freshmen swimmers Laon Kim and Audrey Derivaux secured multiple victories at the Sam Kendricks Dust Off Your Boots Invitational. The intrasquad meet, held at the Lee & Joe Jamail Texas Swim Center, showcased both new recruits and returning post-graduate competitors.
Why it matters
The performance of incoming talent provides an early look at the roster depth for the Longhorns as they prepare for the upcoming competitive season. Coaches and observers are evaluating how these new arrivals integrate with veteran swimmers ahead of major dual meets.
Freshmen standout Laon Kim secured the 200-yard freestyle in 1:35.01 and 100-yard freestyle in 43.44, while Audrey Derivaux claimed the 200-yard butterfly in 1:55.91 and 200-yard backstroke in 1:54.41. The meet results also featured wins by Campbell McKean, Luka Mladenovic, Piper Enge, and Erin Gemmell.
The players
Laon Kim
A freshman swimmer for the University of Texas who won two events at the meet.
Audrey Derivaux
A freshman swimmer for the University of Texas who placed first in two events.
Piper Enge
A swimmer who recorded wins in both the 100-yard and 200-yard breaststroke events.
Erin Gemmell
A swimmer for the University of Texas who won the 200-yard freestyle.
The details
The meet utilized 25-yard short course pool events to evaluate swimmer performance. The competition included a mix of current undergraduates and post-graduate athletes, offering a comprehensive look at the program's training progression. Following this internal competition, the team turns its focus toward early October dual meet preparations.
Timeline
September 25, 2026: The Sam Kendricks Dust Off Your Boots Invitational took place at the Jamail Texas Swim Center.
October 9, 2026: Texas will compete against Indiana and Northwestern in Bloomington.
The Texas Context
This intrasquad meet follows the established pattern of early-season team assessment before the formal start of the NCAA dual meet schedule. The performance of these freshmen serves as an initial indicator of how the squad will align with the broader University of Texas collegiate swimming season goals.
Fans can continue to monitor the progress of these athletes as the team transitions from local intrasquad training to external competition. The next opportunity to track these swimmers in action occurs on October 9, when the team travels to Bloomington.
The takeaway
Keep an eye on how these freshmen adapt to the intensity of collegiate dual meets following their strong performance at the Jamail Texas Swim Center. Mark your calendars for October 9, when the Longhorns test their lineup against Indiana and Northwestern.
What happens next
Texas will race against Indiana and Northwestern on October 9, 2026.
Further reading
For more updates on local competitive athletes and facility news, visit Austin Swimming.
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Should college teams allow post-graduate alumni to compete in intrasquad meets alongside current students?
