The 2026 Longhorn Elite Invite: Day 3 Finals was a spectacle of swimming prowess, with several standout performances and record-breaking attempts. As an expert commentator, I'll delve into the key moments and provide my insights on the day's events.
Women's 200 Fly: A Close Race
What makes this event particularly fascinating is the intense competition between Summer McIntosh and Regan Smith. McIntosh, the defending U.S. Open champion, aimed to defend her title, while Smith, a world-class swimmer, sought to reclaim her dominance. In my opinion, the race was a testament to the depth of talent in women's swimming.
McIntosh, swimming for Texas LA, emerged victorious with a time of 2:04.06, just seven-tenths of a second ahead of Smith. This victory marked McIntosh's second-fastest 200 fly time of the season, showcasing her consistency and determination. Smith, despite finishing second, set a new season best of 2:04.73, demonstrating her resilience and ability to bounce back from previous setbacks.
Lindsay Looney, another standout performer, finished third in 2:09.36, a little over a second behind McIntosh. This race highlighted the competitive nature of women's swimming, where every stroke counts and the margin between victory and defeat can be infinitesimal.
Men's 200 Fly: Hubert Kos Shines
One thing that immediately stands out is Hubert Kos's dominance in the men's 200 fly. Kos, swimming for Texas LA, set a new lifetime best of 1:55.11, more than three seconds ahead of his closest competitor, Cooper Lucas. This performance solidified Kos's position as a top contender in the event.
Kos's previous best was 1:56.01 from the U.S. Open Championships, and his new time will move him up to 15th in the world rankings for the event. Lucas, finishing second in 1:58.52, just missed his best of 1:57.53 from the U.S. Open, while Tyler Ray, in third, was two tenths off his best of 1:58.36 from July 2024.
Women's 50 Free: Simone Manuel's Victory
What many people don't realize is the significance of Simone Manuel's win in the women's 50 free. Manuel, swimming for Texas LA, touched the wall in 24.82, becoming the only swimmer under 25 seconds. Her season best of 24.42 from the U.S. Open and lifetime best of 23.97 from July 2017 further emphasize her prowess in this sprint event.
Erin Gemmell, finishing second in 25.59, took four-tenths off her previous season best of 25.99 from the U.S. Open. Alex Fulton, in third, maintained her best of 25.39 from July 2022. Manuel's victory showcased her versatility and speed, making her a formidable competitor in various events.
Men's 50 Free: Chris Guiliano's Dominance
If you take a step back and think about it, Chris Guiliano's win in the men's 50 free is a testament to his coach, Bob Bowman's, influence. Guiliano, swimming for Texas LA, touched the wall in 22.39, half a second ahead of Rafael Fente-Damers. This swim was about a second off Guiliano's lifetime and season best mark of 21.43 from March.
Fente-Damers, in second, was also close to his best of 21.98 from June 2025. Ben Scholl, from Texas A&M, took third in 23.02, just over a second off his best of 22.11 from June 2025. Guiliano's victory highlighted the competitive nature of men's sprint events and the impact of coaching on an athlete's performance.
Women's 100 Back: Regan Smith's Dominance
A detail that I find especially interesting is Regan Smith's performance in the women's 100 backstroke. Smith, swimming for Texas LA, won the event with a time of 58.01, more than four seconds ahead of her closest competitor, Sarah Rodrigues. This victory marked Smith's second-fastest 100 back time of the season, showcasing her versatility and speed.
Smith's season best of 57.49 from the Fort Lauderdale Open and her world-class ranking further emphasize her dominance in this event. Rodrigues, finishing second in 1:02.30, was just over a second off her best of 1:01.26 from July. Karly Whitehead, in third, dropped two seconds from her April time of 1:04.97.
Men's 100 Back: Hubert Kos's Victory
What this really suggests is the emergence of Hubert Kos as a force to be reckoned with in the men's 100 backstroke. Kos, swimming for Texas LA, won the event with a time of 53.76, becoming the only swimmer under 54 seconds. This swim made Kos the only swimmer in the event under 54 seconds and added about a second to his season best of 52.63 from the U.S. Open.
Joe Hayburn, last night's 50 backstroke champion, finished second in 54.09, just two hundredths off his lifetime best of 54.07 from the 2025 U.S. Nationals. Jack Wilkening, in third, added about a second to his May 2024 time of 53.37.
Women's 200 Breast: Anna Elendt's Dominance
From my perspective, Anna Elendt's victory in the women's 200 breaststroke is a testament to her consistency and determination. Elendt, swimming for Texas LA, won the event with a time of 2:25.76, almost six seconds ahead of her closest competitor, Piper Enge. This performance solidified Elendt's position as a top contender in the event.
Elendt's splits of 33.47/37.15/37.21/37.93 showcased her ability to maintain a strong pace throughout the race. Enge, finishing second in 2:31.66, just missed her season best time of 2:31.55 from the U.S. Open Championships. Hannah O'Leary, in third, dropped four seconds from her April time of 2:36.31.
Men's 200 Breast: Campbell McKean's Victory
This raises a deeper question: What makes a swimmer stand out in the men's 200 breaststroke? Campbell McKean, swimming for Texas LA, won the event with a time of 2:13.14, more than three seconds ahead of his closest competitor, Nate Germonprez. This performance solidified McKean's position as a top contender in the event.
McKean's splits of 29.88/30.03/30.73/32.50 showcased his ability to maintain a strong pace throughout the race. Germonprez, finishing second in 2:14.92, was just over a second off his best of 2:13.99 from the U.S. Open Championships. Baylor Nelson, in third, dropped almost three seconds from his April time of 2:19.68.
Women's 50 Fly: Simone Manuel's Versatility
A detail that I find especially interesting is Simone Manuel's performance in the women's 50 fly. Manuel, swimming for Texas LA, won the event with a time of 26.85, showcasing her versatility and speed. Her season best of 24.42 from the U.S. Open and lifetime best of 23.97 from July 2017 further emphasize her prowess in this sprint event.
Hanne Peeters, finishing second in 27.48, maintained her best of 27.13 from June 2024. Erin Gemmell, in third, took four-tenths off her previous season best of 25.99 from the U.S. Open. Manuel's victory highlighted her ability to excel in various events, making her a formidable competitor in the swimming world.
Men's 50 Fly: Shaine Casas's Dominance
What this really suggests is the emergence of Shaine Casas as a force to be reckoned with in the men's 50 fly. Casas, swimming for Texas LA, won the event with a time of 23.37, becoming the only swimmer under 24 seconds. This performance solidified Casas's position as a top contender in the event.
Garrett Gould, in second, was just over a second off his best of 22.85 from the U.S. Open Championships. Logan Walker, in third, dropped almost a second from his April time of 24.11. Casas's victory highlighted the competitive nature of men's sprint events and the depth of talent in the swimming world.
Women's 400 Free: Summer McIntosh's Dominance
If you take a step back and think about it, Summer McIntosh's victory in the women's 400 freestyle is a testament to her consistency and determination. McIntosh, swimming for Texas LA, won the event with a time of 4:01.13, more than three seconds ahead of her closest competitor, Jillian Cox. This performance solidified McIntosh's position as a top contender in the event.
McIntosh's splits of 58.58/58.95/59.44/54.16 showcased her ability to maintain a strong pace throughout the race. Cox, finishing second in 4:13.10, was just over a second off her best of 4:09.99 from the U.S. Open Championships. Lillie Nesty, in third, dropped almost a second from her April time of 4:14.71.
Men's 400 Free: Rex Maurer's Victory
One thing that immediately stands out is Rex Maurer's dominance in the men's 400 freestyle. Maurer, swimming for Texas LA, won the event with a time of 3:46.99, more than three seconds ahead of his closest competitor, Luke Hobson. This performance solidified Maurer's position as a top contender in the event.
Maurer's splits of 52.24/52.59/52.96/51.20 showcased his ability to maintain a strong pace throughout the race. Hobson, finishing second in 3:50.23, was just over a second off his best of 3:46.59 from the U.S. Open Championships. Leon Marchand, in third, dropped almost a second from his April time of 3:51.86.
In conclusion, the 2026 Longhorn Elite Invite: Day 3 Finals was a showcase of swimming excellence, with several standout performances and record-breaking attempts. The day's events highlighted the depth of talent in women's and men's swimming, as well as the impact of coaching and consistency on an athlete's performance. As an expert commentator, I look forward to witnessing more exciting moments in the world of swimming.
