Texas Freshmen Impressed at Longhorns Intrasquad Meet
New recruits dominated multiple events at the Sam Kendricks Dust Off Your Boots Invitational in Austin.
Updated on Sept. 26, 2026 in Swimming
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Freshmen Laon Kim and Audrey Derivaux secured multiple victories during the Texas Longhorns intrasquad meet. The competition took place at the Lee & Joe Jamail Texas Swim Center.
Why it matters
Strong performances from new recruits at this early-season event signal the current depth and talent potential of the Texas swimming program. These results serve as a foundational test for athletes before they transition into broader collegiate competition.
Laon Kim won the 200-yard freestyle in 1:35.01 and the 100-yard freestyle in 43.44, while Audrey Derivaux claimed the 200-yard butterfly in 1:55.91 and the 200-yard backstroke in 1:54.41. Other notable winners included Piper Enge, who swept the 100-yard and 200-yard breaststroke events.
The players
Laon Kim
He is a freshman swimmer at the University of Texas who recorded multiple victories in the freestyle events.
Audrey Derivaux
She is a freshman swimmer at the University of Texas who won both the butterfly and backstroke events.
Piper Enge
She is a competitive swimmer at the University of Texas who secured first-place finishes in both breaststroke distances.
Erin Gemmell
She is a member of the Texas swimming team who won the 200-yard freestyle race.
The details
The event featured a mix of current Texas swimmers and post-graduate competitors testing their speed in a short course format. Additional winners included Campbell McKean, who took the 100-yard breaststroke, Luka Mladenovic, who won the 200-yard breaststroke, and Erin Gemmell, who finished the 200-yard freestyle in 1:45.36.
Timeline
The Sam Kendricks Dust Off Your Boots Invitational was held on September 25, 2026.
Texas is scheduled to compete against Indiana and Northwestern on October 9, 2026.
Season Trajectory
These early-season results help coaches identify the core group of swimmers to lead the team through the upcoming dual meet schedule. The performances influence roster decisions as the program prepares for the NCAA Division I Swimming and Diving Championships.
These times set a baseline for evaluating the team's strength against upcoming national opponents. Spectators can track these swimmers' progression in the 100-yard and 200-yard events as the dual meet season begins.
The takeaway
Early internal competition results provide a critical indicator of how new recruits adjust to collegiate training intensities. Monitoring these developmental milestones is essential for understanding the potential competitive ceiling of the team this year.
What happens next
Texas will face Indiana and Northwestern in a tri-meet held in Bloomington on October 9, 2026.
Further reading
For more on collegiate athletic performances, visit the Swimming section.
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Should college teams allow post-graduate alumni to compete in intrasquad meets alongside current students?
