No. 2/5 Indiana swimming and diving opened its 2026-27 home season Friday at the Counsilman-Billingsley Aquatic Center, sweeping No. 16/NR Northwestern but falling to No. 1/3 Texas.
The women defeated Northwestern 241-59, while the men won 224-76. Against Texas, Indiana fell 188-112 in the women’s meet and 177.5-122.5 in the men’s meet.
The meet was held in short-course meters rather than the traditional short-course yards format as athletes prepare for the 2026 Short Course World Championship trials, which will take place in Westmont, Illinois, later this month.
Despite the losses to Texas, the Hoosiers showcased the depth of their sophomore class, which made a significant impact across both programs. Several second-year swimmers entered the season with notable accolades, and their performances Friday reinforced their importance to Indiana’s early-season success.
Sophomore Liberty Clark led the women with three freestyle victories, winning the 200, 50 and 100-meter freestyle events. Sophomore Alex Shackell also claimed victories in both the 200 and 100-meter butterfly, giving Indiana multiple individual wins from its sophomore standouts.
The sophomore class made its presence felt on the men’s side as well. Raekwon Noel won both the 200 and 100-meter butterfly, while Josh Bey secured victories in the 200-meter breaststroke and 200-meter individual medley. Together, the performances highlighted the class’s contributions across a range of events.
Despite the individual success, Indiana struggled to close out tight races against Texas, a difference that proved costly. Head coach Ray Looze said the Hoosiers have room to improve in those situations.
“We lost way too many close races. The score could’ve been a lot different had we won more than our fair share,” Looze said.
Looze also pointed to Indiana’s demanding schedule as an opportunity for the team to develop against elite competition.
“I don’t think any program has a tougher schedule than we do, and it isn’t close,” Looze said.
Indiana came close to victories in both 200-meter medley relays. Texas edged out the women’s A relay by five-hundredths of a second, while the men’s A relay finished just 0.15 seconds behind the Longhorns.
The Hoosiers also found success in diving, where senior Lily Witte finished second in both the women’s 1-meter and 3-meter springboard events. Texas claimed first place in all four individual diving events across the men’s and women’s 1-meter and 3-meter springboard competitions.
Indiana’s sweep of Northwestern provided a strong start to its home schedule, while the dual meets against Texas offered an early test against top-ranked competition. With much of the season still ahead, the Hoosiers will look to build on the sophomore class’s contributions and improve in the close finishes that defined Friday’s competition.
