FEDERAL WAY, Wash. – Highlighted by sophomore Jillian Cox’s obliterating win in the 500 freestyle, Texas Women’s Swim and Dive climbed into third place following the second day of the NCAA Championships at Weyerhaeuser King County Aquatics Center on Thursday night. The Horns have compiled 152 total points through the first seven events, trailing first-place Virginia (225) and second-place Stanford (178), while holding a 45.5-point lead over fourth-place Louisville.
Cox earned her first NCAA crown after a dominating victory in the 500 free, throwing down a final time of 4:31.58. It was a thrilling race as Indiana’s Anna Peplowski opened with a strong lead, but Cox continued to inch her way into first as she overtook the lead at the 350-yard mark and then separated herself from the rest of the field. Cox overtook the competition and held over a full-body lead heading into the final 100 yards. With the win, Cox also clinched Texas’ first title at this year’s national meet.
“I felt like I executed it [the swim] very well,” said Cox. “That felt like a very mature swim for me. Everybody was going to do it differently, and I was kind of prepared for that. I needed to go out fast but not too fast, and I just needed to be able to hold on.”
During Thursday morning’s prelims, senior Emma Sticklen lowered her own school record in the 200 IM in 1:52.11, advancing to Thursday night’s final. In the final, Sticklen solidified All-America praise after finishing seventh in 1:52.54.
Competing in the 200 IM consolation final, freshman Campbell Chase finished second and 10th overall in 1:53.90, claiming Honorable Mention All-America honors. Sophomore Campbell Stoll also added a fourth-place finish in the consolation final and 12th overall after clocking in at 1:54.78 to capture Honorable Mention All-America accolades.
Commencing the meet’s diving portion, senior Hailey Hernandez and freshman Alejandra Estudillo Torres earned spots in the evening final while adding All-America selection. Hernandez finished fifth with a final score of 320.95 and Estudillo Torres finished behind her in sixth after recording 316.30 points. Sophomore Bayleigh Cranford collected Honorable Mention All-America recognition after recording a 13th place finish.
The Longhorn quartet of Grace Cooper, Sticklen, Abby Arens and Ava Longi carded an eighth-place finish in the 200 free relay in 1:27.00 to register All-America honors.
2025 NCAA Championships – Team Standings
- Virginia – 225
- Stanford – 178
- Texas – 152
- Louisville – 106.5
- Indiana – 102
- Tennessee – 89.5
- Michigan – 92
- California – 89.5
- Florida – 71
- NC State – 54
Texas Longhorn 2025 All-Americans
Abby Arens: 200 medley relay, 200 freestyle relay
Campbell Chase: 800 freestyle relay
Grace Cooper: 200 medley relay, 200 freestyle relay
Jillian Cox: 500 freestyle relay
Piper Enge: 200 medley relay
Alejandra Estudillo Torres: 1-meter dive
Erin Gemmell: 800 freestyle relay
Hailey Hernandez: 1-meter dive
Ava Longi: 800 freestyle relay, 200 freestyle relay
Lillie Nesty: 800 freestyle relay
Emma Sticklen: 200 medley relay, 200 IM, 200 freestyle relay
Up Next
- Friday, March 21 | Watch live on ESPN+
- Day three prelims | 12 p.m. CT | 10 a.m. PT
- Three-meter diving trials | 2:15 p.m. CT | 12:15 p.m. PT
- Three-meter diving consolation finals | 7:15 p.m. CT | 5:15 p.m. PT
- Day three finals | 8 p.m. CT | 6 p.m. PT
- 400-yard individual medley
- 100-yard butterfly 10. 200-yard freestyle
- 100-yard breaststroke 12. 100-yard backstroke
- 400-yard medley relay
- Three-meter diving
- Saturday, March 22 | Watch live on ESPN+
- Day four prelims | 12 p.m. CT | 10 a.m. PT
- Platform diving trials | 2 p.m. CT | 12 p.m. PT
- Day four prelims – 1650 freestyle | 5:45 p.m. CT | 3:45 p.m. PT
- Platform diving consolation finals | 7:15 p.m. CT | 5:15 p.m. PT
- Day four finals | 8 p.m. CT | 6 p.m. PT
- 1,650-yard freestyle
- 200-yard backstroke
- 100-yard freestyle
- 200-yard breaststroke
- 200-yard butterfly
- Platform diving
- 400-yard freestyle relay
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