The 2026 Austin Pro Swim Series kicked off with a bang, and while Katie Ledecky's scintillating 1500-meter freestyle swim undoubtedly stole the show, there were several other impressive performances that might have slipped under the radar. Here's a closer look at some of the swims you might have missed on the first night of the event:
Skyler Smith's Impressive 100 Breaststroke: Smith took second place in the women's 100 breaststroke with a time of 1:07.87, just 0.04 seconds shy of her personal best. Her strong back half, closing eight-tenths faster than her opening, suggests she could be a force to be reckoned with in the 100-meter breaststroke later this year.
Benjamin Jaggers' Strong 100 Backstroke: Jaggers, who won the 100-meter backstroke at the Speedo Winter Juniors – West just a month ago, came in 0.17 seconds off his best time in his first long-course swim of the season. His time of 56.83 in the 'B' final would have placed him sixth in the 'A' final, showcasing his potential for future success.
See Also15-Year-Old Julia Yeo's SEA Games Gold and National Record | Swimming Sensation2026 Pro Swim Series Austin: Shaine Casas and Jack Alexy Scratch 200 Free B FinalJohn John Florence Extends Break from WSL: What's Next for the Surfing Legend?Summer McIntosh's Quest for 5 World Records | Swimming History in the MakingRyan Erisman's 1500-Meter Freestyle: Erisman, a freshman at Cal, dropped 14 seconds in the men's 1500-meter freestyle, placing third behind 2024 World and Olympic Champions Dan Wiffen and Bobby Finke. His negative split, going 7:36 to 7:30, highlights his strong closing speed.
Rylee Erisman's 100 Backstroke: Rylee, Ryan's sister, set a new personal best in her first long-course swim of the season, shaving 0.14 seconds off her 100-meter backstroke time to go 59.25 and take second place behind Regan Smith. Her performance moves her up to fifth in the 15-16 rankings, just 0.07 seconds behind Missy Franklin.
Anna Peplowski's Double Gold: Peplowski, who had a fantastic summer in the 200-meter freestyle, nearly matched her best of 25.29 in the 50-meter freestyle with a time of 25.41, qualifying fourth for the final. She also set a new personal best in the 100-meter backstroke, going 1:00.52 in the morning and dropping another 0.34 seconds to take third in the final.
Becca Mann's 1500-Meter Freestyle: Mann, better known for her open water swimming, placed third in the women's 1500-meter freestyle with a time of 16:35.09, the fastest swim of her comeback by over eight seconds. Her performance comes six and a half years after winning bronze at the 2019 Pan American Games.
Luc Dionne's 100 Breaststroke: Dionne, a Virginia commit for the fall of 2027, shaved 0.17 seconds off his best time in the men's 100 breaststroke, going 1:02.73 to take third in the 'B' final. His performance moves him up seven places in the 15-16 rankings, just ahead of Andrew Seliskar.
Mitch Mason and Van Mathias' 100 Breaststroke: Mason, formerly of LSU, came within seven-tenths of his best time from 2023, while Van Mathias, the overall winner, clocked 59.45 to match the pool record and knock 0.29 seconds off his best time of 59.74, set last summer. Mathias' rapid progression, from fly swimmer to breaststroke specialist, is a testament to his adaptability and determination.
These swims, while not as flashy as Ledecky's, showcase the depth and talent within the swimming community. As the series progresses, we can expect to see more impressive performances and perhaps even some new records being set. So, keep an eye out for these rising stars and don't miss the next exciting night of swimming!
