Storylines to Look Out for in SEC Swimming in 2025-26
With the college swimming season underway for the 2025-2026 year, there’s no shortage of storylines to follow. Between up and coming competitors, returning stars, new coaches and movement among conferences, this NCAA season should have it all. Here are a few storylines to follow in the Southeastern Conference.
Texas’ Command
Perhaps the biggest storyline this year centers on the University of Texas, which joined the SEC last season and immediately made its presence known. In their first year in the conference, the Longhorns won both the men’s and women’s titles, proving that their Big 12 reign could easily translate to the nation’s most competitive conference.
In addition to a strong core headlined by Jillian Cox and Erin Gemmell, the Texas women have one of the most powerful incoming classes in the SEC. Top recruits like Haley McDonald (2023 world junior silver medalist and two-time national junior team member), Avery Collins (two-time Junior Nationals finalist finalist), Sarah Rodrigues (2025 national junior team member) and Inez Miller (2024 Junior Pan Pacific Championships medalist) will be names to look out for. International freestylers Eva Okaro and Nikolett Padar are expected to make a huge impact right away.
After losing key competitors Bella Sims and Emma Weyant last year, Florida has also brought in a competitive freshman women’s class, led by IM specialists Lilla Bognar and Grace Rabb, world junior champion Lynsey Bowen, Trinidad and Tobago Olympian Zuri Ferguson and Lithuanian freestyler Sylvia Statkevicius.
On the men’s side, the Gator men’s team had dominated the SEC since 2012, but Texas came in to end its 12-year conference championship streak last year. Standout swimmers like Hubert Kos, Rex Maurer, Nate Germonprez and Will Modglin led the way for the Longhorns. Maurer won both the 500 freestyle and 400 IM, establishing himself as one of the SEC’s all-around talents. This year, the Gators return major contributors in Josh Liendo, Jonny Marshall and Scotty Buff, ensuring a showdown at the SEC Championships this year.
Tennessee on the Rise
While Texas and Florida may dominate the leading headlines of SEC swimming, there are several other rising competitors to keep an eye out for heading into the season. Tennessee stood out at the start of SEC championships last season and finished third for both of their men’s and women’s teams.
The Lady Vols have remained a consistent force within the conference under head coach Matt Kredich, who just had his contract renewed through 2030. Kredich has brought in several new talents, including Lilly Daley from UF, Kamal Muhammad from UVA and Simoné Moll from Miami. Japan’s Mizuki Hirai is expected in the spring. On the men’s side, the Vols will add Ulises Saravia from Argentina and Ethan Dumesnil from France. They’re likely to make an impact this upcoming year.
Auburn’s New Class
Auburn’s women’s team is also a group to look out for after experiencing a large shift in its roster this past year. The Tigers had 13 women enter the transfer portal, the most from a single school and the most from an SEC school. The school will be looking to bounce back following an eighth-place finish at SECs for men and a ninth place finish for women. Head coach Ryan Wochomurka has brought in several talents to the men’s team, including Luke Bedsore, Maston Ballew, Mack Schumann and Daniel Krichevsky, who will add depth and energy to the team.
Impacts of NIL
Beyond the lanes, the growing influence of Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) opportunities are continuing to reshape collegiate athletics, especially for powerhouse conferences like the SEC. The SEC specifically, in fact, is one of the biggest spenders for college athletics. Although NIL hasn’t transformed swimming as much as it has for larger revenue sports such as basketball or football, there is still a huge impact on the environment of the sport. In several cases, effects of NIL has led to the elimination of non-revenue sports for certain colleges. This conflict and added pressure on the sport may be a factor to watch out for heading into this year.
