The No. 2 Texas women’s swim and dive team entered this season with considerable unknowns. With the loss of fifth-year eligibility and NCAA standouts like Emma Sticklen and Abby Arens, this team was now without significant contributors.
A large freshman class hoped to fill some of those holes, but associate head coach Mitch Dalton acknowledged the potential loss of a concrete identity.
“I think anytime you start off a season, you’re always just a little curious. ‘What is this team? Who are they?’” Dalton said.
Two weeks and one dominant victory later, those questions appear to have been answered. Texas handily defeated No. 16 Alabama 211.5-88.5, signaling a newfound, evolving chemistry.
“This is a very new team, and there’s something really refreshing about it,” Dalton said. “What impressed me was seeing that this team can enjoy the moment, can enjoy each other. And want to dig down deep for Texas.”
The Longhorns will host the No. 4 Tennessee Volunteers on Friday in a combined dual meet for their second Southeastern Conference match of the season.
Against Alabama, the Longhorns won 13 of 16 events, led by standout performances from sophomore Jillian Cox and freshman Eva Okaro.
Cox, the Southeastern Conference Swimmer of the Week, won the 1000-yard free in 9:29.01 and the 500-free in 4:35.74, both the second-fastest times in the nation. Okaro, who is from Derby, England, impressed in her collegiate debut, sweeping the sprint freestyle events. She won the 50-yard free in 21.87 and the 100-yard free in 47.48, both currently the third-fastest times in the nation, earning SEC Women’s Freshman of the Week honors.
Okaro’s breakout performance highlights the immediate impact of Texas’ highly-ranked freshman class. Alongside Okaro, freshmen Haley McDonald, Nikolett Padar and Inez Miller, who are all top recruits, have already shown promise this season.
This Friday presents a difficult test for the Longhorns. Tennessee may pose a much steeper challenge than Alabama. The Lady Vols have yet to compete this season and face questions after the departure of several elite swimmers, including All-Americans Josephine Fuller and Mona McSharry.
Even so, Tennessee comes back with a talented roster and the nation’s No. 9 recruiting class. NCAA standout junior Camille Spink is returning after an impressive sophomore season, along with breastroker redshirt sophomore Emelie Fast, who missed the 2025 postseason after suffering a shoulder injury in November.
Yet the Longhorns exude a sense of excellence that’s difficult to match, and remain confident ahead of Friday.
“I think there’s some places that are doing a good job with these meets, but I think we’re next level here,” Dalton said.
Saturday’s dual meet will be the first-ever matchup between Texas and Tennessee, setting the stage for an early-season top-four showdown between some of the nation’s most complete programs.