The Texas Longhorn women are undertaking what is probably the toughest out-of-conference schedule in the country this season, including their win last week against California. In fact, the Longhorns don’t have an “easy meet” until they swim their annual Sprint for the Cure meet against Houston in February. Between now and then, they will face off against national powers Texas A&M, Auburn, Arizona and Georgia. Things will be no different this weekend, as they show off against the Michigan Wolverines and Indiana Hoosiers in the fourth incarnation of this annual tri-meet in a two-day showdown.
Though it’s becoming increasingly clear that Texas will face their tough schedule without National Champion Kathleen Hersey, that does not mean that the Longhorns’ cupboard is left bare.
Karlee Bispo has the nation’s second-best 100, and top 200 (1:46.97), time in the nation. Sophomore Laura Sogar, who already has a National Swimmer of the Week award under her belt this year, has the nation’s second-best time in the 100 and easily the top mark in the 200 (2:10.15) which bettered her own school record from Big 12’s last year.
Texas is swimming typically astonishingly well during the fall recruiting season—school records shouldn’t fall that easily in October—which might explain why they continue to pull in amazing recruiting classes despite less-than-great finishes at Big 12’s and NCAA’s.
Indiana also stands undefeated on the season (2-0) and are coming off of a solid win against Kentucky. Michigan is 1-1 after taking Toledo down last week.
There are some races at this meet which are going to be absolutely must-see TV and will have huge national implications come March. Take, for example, Michigan’s Natasha Moodie versus Bispo in the 50 free. They are two of only seven women to go sub-23 this season, and come into the meet with matching 22.9 season bests.
The 100 back will feature Texas freshman star Lily Moldenhauer against Indiana veteran star Taylor Wohrley. This will be a nailbiter where both women could push down into the 54-second range. Texas’ Leah Gingrich is help concealing the wound from Hersey’s loss, as she has the fourth best time in the 200 fly nation-wide this season (1:58.10). She will be chased there by Indiana’s Brittany Barwegen (8th-1:59.21) and Michigan’s Adrienne Bicek (10th-1:59.48).
Yes, Michigan is down this year. Yes, Indiana lost their best swimmer (and first ever National Champion) Kate Fesenko from last season. And yes, Texas will presumably be without Hersey. But despite losing several marquee names from this same meet last season, this will be one of the most exciting and relevant meets to take place this month.
Texas has a big battle against mega-rival Texas A&M next week. If they can avoid looking ahead to that dual, I think they win this. I like Indiana’s squad a whole lot this season, and they have a lot of swimmers you’ve never heard of who will be NCAA scorers this year, but given the timing of the meet, it should be a Texas victory.