The 2026 Austin Pro Swim Series kicked off with a bang, but some incredible swims might have slipped under your radar!
The Ledecky Effect
Katie Ledecky's dominant performance in the women's 1500 free, clocking the second-fastest time in history, was undoubtedly the highlight of Day 1. However, there were other remarkable swims that deserve recognition.
Skyler Smith's Stealthy Speed
Skyler Smith, a name to remember, took second in the women's 100 breast, just a whisker away from her personal best. What's intriguing is her improved back half speed, a sign of potential greatness in the 100 later this year.
Benjamin Jaggers' Long Course Debut
Benjamin Jaggers, fresh off his win at Speedo Winter Juniors, made a strong long course debut, finishing a mere 0.17 seconds off his best time. A promising start to his season!
The Erisman Siblings' Success
Ryan Erisman, a freshman at Cal, dropped a whopping 14 seconds in the men's 1500 free, negative splitting his way to a remarkable finish. His sister, Rylee, also set a new best time in the 100 backstroke, closing in on Missy Franklin's ranking. A talented duo to watch!
Anna Peplowski's Double Duty
Anna Peplowski tackled the 50 free/100 back double, qualifying fourth for the final in the 50 free and setting a new personal best in the 100 back. Her summer of 2025 was equally impressive, lowering her best time in the 200 free and contributing to Team USA's silver medal in the women's 4x200 free relay.
Becca Mann's Comeback
Becca Mann, a name synonymous with open water swimming, made a splash in the pool, placing third in the women's 1500 free. Her comeback swim was over eight seconds faster than her previous best, a testament to her resilience.
Luc Dionne's Rising Star
Luc Dionne, a Virginia commit, shaved off valuable time in the men's 100 breast, moving up in the 15-16 rankings. His transition from yards to long course has been seamless, and he's one to watch in the future.
The Breaststroke Comeback Kids
Mitch Mason and Van Mathias, former NCAA standouts, made their comebacks in the 100 breast. Mason came close to his best time, while Mathias matched the pool record and knocked off nearly half a second from his personal best. Mathias' journey is particularly inspiring, having switched from fly to breast in his final year at Indiana, and now dominating the breaststroke events.
Mathias' Rapid Progression
Van Mathias' progression over the past few months has been nothing short of remarkable. From winning U.S. Nationals in the 50 breast to qualifying for the Pan Pacs team, his times have improved drastically. His 100 breast swim tonight moved him up the all-time rankings among Americans, and he's sure to be a force to reckon with in the 50 breast later this week.
Stay tuned for more exciting swims and stories from the 2026 Austin Pro Swim Series!
