2025 Eddie Reese Showdown: Session 1 Live Recap

2025 Eddie Reese Showdown

• January 24-25, 2025
• Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swimming Center — Austin, Texas
• 25 Yards (SCY)
• Meet Info
• Live Results (not yet updated for correct meet), available on MeetMobile
• Friday Night Livestream 

The inaugural Eddie Reese Showdown, a battle between four of the top programs in the NCAA, has finally arrived. This meet spans two days and three sessions, with tonight’s session featuring the Texas band, Bevo XV, happy hour pricing, and more. But before we get there, there’s a full session of action this morning, featuring the 200 medley relay, 500 freestyle, 200 IM, 50 freestyle, and an unscored pros race. There’s one heat of the relay, and two heats of all the other scoring events.

Women’s 200 Medley Relay — Timed Finals

• NCAA Record: 1:31.51 — Virginia (G. Walsh, A. Walsh, Cuomo, Douglass) (2023)
• American Record: 1:31.51 — Virginia (G. Walsh, A. Walsh, Cuomo, Douglass) (2023)

Top 8:

1. Virginia ‘A’ (Curzan, A. Walsh, G. Walsh, Moesch), 1:31.61
2. Texas ‘A’ (Sticklen, Enge, Bray, Cooper), 1:34.65
3. NC State ‘B’ (Pelaez, Christianson, Driscoll, Moses), 1:36.19
4. Texas ‘B’, 1:36.29
5. NC State ‘A’, 1:36.42
6. Virginia ‘B’, 1:36.67
7. ASU ‘B’, 1:39.21

DQ: ASU ‘A’

The Virginia quartet of Claire Curzan, Alex Walsh, Gretchen Walsh, and Anna Moesch rattled Virginia’s NCAA and American records from 2023, opening the meet with an explosive 1:31.61. That swim is just a tenth from those records, but UVA’s been even closer already this season, swimming 1:31.53 against Virginia Tech. Curzan got the team started with a 23.11 lead-off, then handed things over to A. Walsh, who’s swimming in her second NCAA meet since returning from rehabbing an injury that kept her out during the first semester.

G. Walsh split 21.07 on the fly leg, the second fastest split in history behind only her 20.87 from earlier this month, and the freshman Moesch brought the team home in 21.54. They won the race by over three seconds, as Texas’ ‘A’ squad of Emma Sticklen (24.04), Piper Enge (26.29), Olivia Bray (22.87), and Grace Cooper (21.65) took 2nd in 1:34.65.

NC State’s ‘B’ relay got a strong 23.70 lead-off from freshman Erika Pelaez. Then, Lily Christianson (27.50), Tyler Driscoll (23.16), and Casaundra Moses (21.83) followed her. The squad clocked 1:36.19, denying the Longhorns a 2-3 finish by a tenth.

After appearing to touch fourth, ASU’s ‘A’ squad was disqualified. This has been a strong relay for them this season as the quartet of Miriam Sheehan, Iza Adame, Julia Ullmann, and Caroline Bentz have reset the school record multiple times alread.

Men’s 200 Medley Relay — Timed Finals

• NCAA Record: 1:20.15 — Florida (Chaney, Smith, Liendo, McDuff) (2024)
• American Record: 1:20.98 — NC State (Hayes, Hoover, Miller, McCarty) (2024)

Top 8:

1. ASU ‘A’ (Vergnes, Dobrzanski, Kharun, Kulow), 1:21.77
2. Texas ‘A’ (Modglin, Germonprez, Kos, Guiliano), 1:22.89
3. NC State ‘A’ (McCarty, Hoover, Miller, Fox), 1:23.34
4. Texas ‘B’, 1:25.09
5. ASU ‘B’, 1:25.21
6. NC State ‘B’, 1:25.34
7. Virginia ‘B’, 1:28.08

DQ: Virginia ‘A’

The Arizona State men are second only to Florida in the NCAA season rankings and they showed that here, as Lucien Vergnes, Andy Dobrzanksi, Ilya Kharun, and Jonny Kulow combined for a 1:21.77, just .14 seconds from the team’s fastest time this season. Vergnes led off in a 21.05, with Dobrzanski following up in 23.66.

Kharun took over the race with an 18.90 butterfly split, which is just .01 seconds from the fastest split in history, the 18.89 he swam at the Wolfpack Elite Invite. Kulow, the team’s reliable anchor, split 18.90 to seal the quartet’s win.

The team won by over a second ahead of Texas’ ‘A’ relay, which put up a 1:22.89. The team was 1:22.24 at the Texas Hall of Fame Invite (without Chris Guiliano). Modglin got the team started in 20.83, turning things over to Nate Germonprez. Germonprez had a breakthrough at the Texas Hall of Fame Invite and split 23.44 here. Hubert Kos split 19.89 on the butterfly leg, while Guiliano anchored in 18.73.

NC State, the American record holders in this event, snagged third in 1:23.34, with Quintin McCarty (21.43), Sam Hoover (23.18), Luke Miller (19.98), and Jerry Fox (18.75). Fox is the addition to this relay from their record-setting performance at 2024 NCAAs; with Aiden Hayes out due to injury, McCarty has taken over the backstroke leg.

We got our second disqualification of the morning from the Virginia ‘A’ relay.

Women’s 500 Free — Timed Finals

• NCAA Record: 4:24.06 — Katie Ledecky, Stanford (2017)
• American Record: 4:24.06 — Katie Ledecky, Stanford (2017)

Heat 2 Final Results:

1. Jillian Cox (TEX), 4:31.97
2. Katie Grimes (UVA), 4:33.05
3. Aimee Canny (UVA), 4:37.78
4. Kate Hurst (TEX), 4:38.62
5. Deniz Ertan (ASU), 4:42.84
6. Chase Travis (NCS), 4:42.88
7. Alexa Reyna (ASU), 4:44.79
8. Emma Hastings (NCS), 4:46.20

Timed Finals Top 8:

1. Jillian Cox (TEX), 4:31.97
2. Katie Grimes (UVA), 4:33.05
3. Cavan Gormsen (UVA), 4:37.67
4. Aimee Canny (UVA), 4:37.78
5. Kate Hurst (TEX), 4:38.62
6. Erin Gemmell (TEX), 4:40.24
7. Lillie Nesty (TEX), 4:40.41
8. Deniz Ertan (ASU), 4:42.84

Life starts to get a bit complicated in the individual events, which all feature two heats. This meet is being scored two different ways. In addition to being scored as a triple dual across all three sessions, there’s a winner at the end of each session that’s decided based on championship scoring, meaning swimmers in heat 2 are locked into the maximum point totals.

That makes strategy a huge part of this meet, and also makes life difficult for reporting results. Below are two different results. First are the results for heat 2, the “championship heat” and below are the timed finals results of the top 8 swimmers regardless of what heat they swum in.

Texas redshirt freshman Jillian Cox earned the win in the women’s 500 freestyle, beating UVA’s newest addition, the two-time Olympian Katie Grimes. Cox is the fastest 500 freestyler in the NCAA this season, posting a school record time of 4:30.68 at mid-season that would’ve won NCAAs last season. Grimes followed 1.08 seconds behind, clocking a 4:33.05 in her first NCAA 500 freestyle.

UVA’s depth in this event shown in the timed finals results section, as the Cavaliers earned 2-3-4 in this race. Aimee Canny touched third in Heat 2 for Virginia in 4:37.78, while Cavan Gormsen won heat 1 in 4:37.67. That’s a season-best for Gormsen, and makes her the 26th woman to break 4:40 this season.

Men’s 500 Free — Timed Finals

• NCAA Record: 4:02.31 — Leon Marchand, Arizona State (2024)
• American Record: 4:04.45 — Rex Maurer, Texas (2024)

Heat 2 Top 8:

1. Rex Maurer (TEX), 4:12.80
2. David Johnston (TEX), 4:14.36
3. Lance Norris (NCS), 4:14.89
4. Daniel Matheson (ASU), 4:15.92
5. Owen Lloyd (NCS), 4:18.60
6. Reece Grady (ASU), 4:18.74
7. David King (UVA), 4:24.95
8. Dillon Wright (UVA), 4:29.19

Timed Finals Top 8:

1. Rex Maurer (TEX), 4:12.80
2. Luke Hobson (TEX), 4:13.11
3. David Johnston (TEX), 4:14.36
4. Coby Carrozza (TEX), 4:14.86
5. Lance Norris (NCS), 4:14.89
6. Daniel Matheson (ASU), 4:15.92
7. Owen Lloyd (NCS), 4:18.60
8. Reece Grady (ASU), 4:18.74

500 freestyle American record holder Rex Maurer dominated Heat 2 of the men’s 500 freestyle. He swam 4:12.80 and that’s to the feet, as he miscounted his race and did an extra 50 yards. But, it wasn’t a close touch, so the sophomore still earned the win.

The Texas men controlled this race, sweeping the top four spots of the timed finals. The Longhorns opted to put defending NCAA champion Luke Hobson in heat 1, so while he grabbed second overall with a 4:13.11 that’s not far from his season-best, David Johnston’s 4:14.36 took 2nd in Heat 2. Coby Carrozza rounded out the Longhorns’ overall sweep in 4:14.86.

Behind the Longhorns, NC State’s Lance Norris took third in Heat 2 and fifth overall. He swam 4:14.89, within a second of his season-best 4:14.22. Daniel Matheson did hit a season-best, bettering the 4:17.23 he swam at a fall dual meet with a 4:15.92.

Women’s 200 IM — Timed Finals

• NCAA Record: 1:48.37 — Kate Douglass, Virginia (2023)
• American Record: 1:48.37 — Kate Douglass, Virginia (2023)

Heat 2 Top 8:

1. Alex Walsh (UVA), 1:51.80
2. Emma Sticklen (TEX), 1:54.15
3. Kennedy Noble (NCS), 1:57.23
4. Charli Brown (ASU), 1:57.50
5. Angie Coe (TEX), 1:57.65
6. Sonia Vaishnani (ASU), 1:58.13
7. Leah Hayes (UVA), 1:58.18
8. Lisa Nystrand (NCS), 1:58.37

Timed Finals Top 8:

1. Alex Walsh (UVA), 1:51.80
2. Campbell Chase (TEX), 1:53.89
3. Emma Sticklen (TEX), 1:54.15
4. Campbell Stoll (TEX), 1:56.36
5. Kennedy Noble (NCS), 1:57.23
6. Charli Brown (ASU), 1:57.50
7. Angie Coe (TEX), 1:57.65
8. Sonia Vaishnani (ASU), 1:58.13

And just like that, A. Walsh climbs to the top of the 200 IM NCAA season rankings. She takes over from Sticklen’s 1:52.75 with a 1:51.80. It’s nearly as fast as she went at the 2024 ACC Championships, where she posted a 1:51.76. Walsh split 24.49/28.15/31.90/27.26, pulling ahead of Sticklen on the breaststroke leg and swimming away for the win.

The Texas women earned a 2-3-4 finish from Campbell Chase, Sticklen, and Campbell Stoll. But interestingly, both Campbells were in heat 1, so Chase secured 2nd overall from her heat 1 win. Chase’s 1:53.89 is a .94 second drop from the lifetime best she swam at mid-season and marks her first swim sub-1:54. Sticklen took third overall with a 1:54.15, while Stoll clocked 1:56.36.

No other swimmers broke 1:57, as backstroke specialist Kennedy Noble finished 5th overall in 1:57.23. Noble is most known for her backstroke speed, particularly on the national stage, but she won the 200 IM NCAA ‘B’ final last year in 1:53.72. She led a trio of 1:57s from herself, Charli Brown (1:57.50), and Angie Coe (1:57.65).

Men’s 200 IM — Timed Finals

• NCAA Record: 1:36.34 — Leon Marchand, Arizona State (2023)
• American Record: 1:37.91 — Destin Lasco, Cal (2024)

Heat 2 Top 8:

1. Hubert Kos (TEX), 1:41.28
2. Will Modglin (TEX), 1:43.39
3. Sebastien Sergile (UVA), 1:44.25
4. Lucien Vergnes (ASU), 1:45.15
5. Cale Martter (ASU), 1:46.40
6. Charlie Bufton (NCS), 1:46.69
7. Simon Bermudez (NCS), 1:46.70
8. Colin Bitz (UVA), 1:47.96

Timed Finals Top 8:

1. Hubert Kos (TEX), 1:41.28
2. Will Modglin (TEX), 1:43.39
3. Nate Germonprez (TEX), 1:43.92
4. Sebastien Sergile (UVA), 1:44.25
5. Lucien Vergnes (ASU), 1:45.15
6. Ben Sampson (TEX), 1:45.49
7. Michael Hochwalt (ASU), 1:45.83
8. Kyle Ponsler (NCS), 1:46.60

The men’s 200 IM gave Texas another chance to flex their strength in the event. Hubert Kos won the race decisively, clocking a 1:41.28 as he split 21/32/25.18/29.61/25.17. Sophomore Will Modglin broke 1:41 for the first time at the Texas Invite, and he turned in a 1:43.39 for 2nd place here. He was Texas’ second Heat 2 swimmer, but his classmate Nate Germonprez grabbed third overall by winning Heat 1 in 1:43.92. He’s been as fast as 1:43.04 this season.

Virginia’s Sebastien Sergile gave the Virginia men their first top 8 overall finish on the day. Sergile touched third in Heat 2, securing fourth overall with a 1:44.25. He touched almost a second ahead of ASU’s French freshman Lucien Vergnes. Vergnes clocked 1:45.15, setting a new lifetime best as he improved from the 1:45.36 he swam during the Sun Devils’ tri-meet against Cal and Stanford.

Vergnes wasn’t the only Sun Devil swimmer to record a lifetime best in this event. Fellow freshman Michael Hochwalt also lowered the lifetime best he swam at the tri-meet with Cal and Stanford. He broke 1:46 for the first time in his career, logging a 1:45.83 for 7th overall.

Women’s 50 Free — Timed Finals

• NCAA Record: 20.37 — Gretchen Walsh, Virginia (2024)
• American Record: 20.37 — Gretchen Walsh, Virginia (2024)

Heat 2 Top 8:

1. Gretchen Walsh (UVA), 20.74
2. Claire Curzan (UVA), 21.61
3. Grace Cooper (TEX), 22.22
4. Caroline Bentz (ASU), 22.24
5. Ava Longi (TEX), 22.34
6. Tyler Driscoll (NCS), 22.36
7. Lily Christianson (NCS), 22.44
8. Miriam Sheehan (ASU), 22.48

Timed Finals Top 8:

1. Gretchen Walsh (UVA), 20.74
2. Claire Curzan (UVA), 21.61
3. Maxine Parker (UVA), 22.04
4. Anna Moesch (UVA), 22.08
5. Olivia Nel (NCS), 22.17
6. Grace Cooper (TEX), 22.22
7. Caroline Bentz (ASU), 22.24
8. Abby Arens (TEX), 22.27

G. Walsh closed out her morning with another incredible swim in the 50 freestyle. Earlier, she posted the second-fastest 50 butterfly split in history (21.07) and now, she’s tied herself for the fifth-fastest 50 freestyle time. Walsh owns the NCAA record at 20.37 and has already been 20.54 this season. She’s now been faster than the next-fastest swimmer (Maggie MacNeil) seven times in her career.

Top 50 Freestyle (SCY) Performances:

1. Gretchen Walsh (UVA), 20.37 (2024)
2. Gretchen Walsh (UVA), 20.41 (2024)
3. Gretchen Walsh (UVA), 20.54 (2024)
4. Gretchen Walsh (UVA), 20.57 (2024)
5. Gretchen Walsh (UVA)/Gretchen Walsh (UVA), 20.73 (2025/2025)
6. (tie)
7. Gretchen Walsh (UVA), 20.77 (2024)
8. Gretchen Walsh (UVA)/Maggie MacNeil (LSU), 20.79 (2023/2023)

The Virginia women continued to show their dominance in this race, sweeping the top four overall spots. Behind Walsh, Curzan took second overall with a season-best 21.61, just .11 from the lifetime best she swam at Cary Speedo Sectionals in 2021. She was followed by Maxine Parker (22.04) and Moesch (22.08).

The four Virginia swimmers were the only ones to break 22.10, as Olivia Nel took fifth overall in 22.17. That swim is a massive season-best for the NC State swimmer, improving from the 22.93 she swam at a fall dual meet. Grace Cooper was the top scorer for the Texas women, clocking 22.22 for 6th overall, just two-hundredths ahead of ASU’s Caroline Bentz, who broke the school record in this event earlier this season.

Men’s 50 Free — Timed Finals

• NCAA Record: 17.63 — Caeleb Dressel, Florida (2018)
• American Record: 17.63 — Caeleb Dressel, Florida (2018)

Heat 2 Top 8:

1. Ilya Kharun (ASU), 18.62
2. Jonny Kulow (ASU), 18.90
3. Chris Guiliano (TEX), 19.10
4. Jerry Fox (NCS), 19.20
5. Quintin McCarty (NCS), 19.21
6. Garrett Gould (TEX), 19.56
7. Jack Aikins (UVA), 19.58
8. Connor Boyle (UVA), 19.95

Timed Finals Top 8:

1. Ilya Kharun (ASU), 18.62
2. Jonny Kulow (ASU), 18.90
3. Tommy Palmer (ASU), 18.99
4. Chris Guiliano (TEX), 19.10
5. Jerry Fox (NCS), 19.20
6. Quintin McCarty (NCS), 19.21
7. Garrett Gould (TEX), 19.56
8. Tolu Young (ASU), 19.57

After helping the Sun Devils win the opening 200 medley relay, Ilya Kharun picked up an individual event win in the 50 freestyle. Kharun led an overall Sun Devil 1-2-3 finish with an 18.62, touching just .11 seconds off the ASU program record he set at the Wolfpack Elite Invite. Jonny Kulow wasn’t too far off his season best either, posting an 18.90 to finish 2nd overall. Tommy Palmer rounded out the top three sweep for the Sun Devils by swimming a lifetime best 18.99. That’s the first time he’s gotten under 19 seconds, and makes him the 10th man to do so this season.

Texas’ newest addition, Olympian Chris Guiliano, finished fourth overall with a 19.10. He was six-hundredths faster at Texas’ dual against SMU, but the results highlight the jolt he provides to the Texas sprint group. Without Guiliano, Garrett Gould‘s 19.56 would be Texas’ fastest swim. Gould was approximately two-tenths from the lifetime best 19.38 he swam last month against Georgia.

Fox earned NC State’s highest finish with a 19.20 that’s just .01 off his season-best. That’s all that separated him from his teammate McCarty, who took sixth overall with a 19.21.

Pros Race – Female – Timed Finals (Unscored)

• 100 Back: Regan Smith, 49.87
• 200 IM: Simone Manuel, 1:57.01
• 200 Breast: Anna Elendt, 2:07.45

Pros Race – Male – Timed Finals (Unscored)

• 50 freestyle: Shaine Casas, 19.13
• 100 butterfly: Carson Foster, 46.42

At the end of the session, Texas pros Shaine Casas and Carson Foster dove in, like we’ve seen pros do often during Texas meets. Notably, Carson Foster broke the American record in the 500 free at the Texas Hall of Fame Invite before Maurer lowered it an hour later.

Casas took on the 50 freestyle, clocking a 19.13. The swim is only .11 seconds off his lifetime best of 19.02, which he swam leading off an Aggie relay at the 2021 NCAA Championships. Foster continued on, swimming a 46.42 in his 100 butterfly time trial. This is not an event that see Foster take on regularly in meters, nor did he swim it often during his NCAA career. The last time he swam it was a Texas vs. Virginia dual meet in November 2022, which is where he swam the lifetime best of 46.57 he just improved on by .15 seconds.

Session One Final Scores:

The Eddie Reese Showdown is getting scored two ways. In addition to being scored as a standard triple dual meet, a winner is declared at the end of each session.

As of 1:15 pm ET, no scores had been published. 

Women: 

Men: