The 2025 Texas Hall of Fame Invitational is reaching its climax, and what a thrilling competition it has been so far! As we dive into the fourth and final day, the excitement is palpable.
Date and Venue:
The event, held from November 18-21, 2025, at the Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swimming Center in Austin, TX, has been a showcase of exceptional swimming talent.
Schedule:
With a packed schedule, the prelims and finals sessions have kept spectators on the edge of their seats. The swimming prelims start at 11:00 am ET, diving prelims at 11:30 am, and the highly anticipated finals at 7:00 pm ET, except for Tuesday’s relay timed finals at 5:00 pm ET.
The Final Showdown:
As we approach the grand finale, the tension is building. The final night promises an exhilarating display of speed and technique in the 200 IM, 100 free, 200 fly, and 200 backstroke events, culminating in the 400 freestyle relay finals.
Women’s 200 IM:
The women’s 200 IM final witnessed a remarkable performance by Lucy Bell of Stanford, who dominated the race with a time of 1:52.65. She left her competitors in her wake, finishing nearly a full second ahead. Bell’s strategy was key; she conserved energy in the first 100, then unleashed a powerful breaststroke leg, making up significant ground. Her freestyle split was the fastest, securing the win. But here’s where it gets interesting: Bell’s time was just two-tenths off her best, leaving room for speculation about what could have been.
Men’s 200 IM:
In a closely contested race, Baylor Nelson of TEX emerged victorious with a time of 1:40.29, closely followed by his teammates Will Modglin (1:40.58) and Campbell McKean (1:41.06).
Women’s 100 Freestyle:
The women’s 100 freestyle event, with its NCAA record of 44.71 set by Gretchen Walsh in 2025, promises to be a sprinting spectacle.
Men’s 100 Freestyle:
On the men’s side, Jordan Crooks’ 2025 NCAA record of 39.83 sets the bar high for this year’s competitors.
Women’s and Men’s 200 Butterfly:
The 200 butterfly events, with their demanding technique and endurance requirements, will test the mettle of the swimmers. Emma Sticklen’s 2025 NCAA record of 1:49.11 in the women’s event and Luca Urlando’s 2025 record of 1:36.41 in the men’s event will be the benchmarks to beat.
Women’s and Men’s 200 Backstroke:
The backstroke events will showcase the grace and power of the swimmers. Claire Curzan’s 2025 NCAA record of 1:46.82 in the women’s event and Hubert Kos’ 2025 record of 1:34.21 in the men’s event will be the times to chase.
Women’s and Men’s 400 Freestyle Relay:
And finally, the 400 freestyle relays, with their team dynamics and strategic substitutions, will bring the competition to a thrilling close. Virginia’s 2023 NCAA record of 3:05.84 and Tennessee’s 2025 record of 2:42.30 will be the ultimate goals for the teams.
As we eagerly await the final results, one can’t help but wonder: Who will rise to the occasion and make history at this prestigious event? Will we see new records set, or will the current champions retain their titles? And this is the part most people miss—the stories behind the times, the strategies, and the sheer determination of these athletes. Stay tuned for the live recaps and be part of this extraordinary sporting celebration!