Swimmers Emma Sticklen, Harris Durham Wed During Ceremony In Texas

A swimming couple became officially married  in Austin, Texas on July 11. 

Emma Sticklen, a standout for Texas who in March set a new NCAA record in the 200 butterfly in a time of 1:49.11, married fellow swimmer Harris Durham in a wedding held at Addison Grove in Austin.

Durham, a Texas native who swam for the City of Richardson Swim Team and Richardson High School, just completed a four-year career at Harvard.

At this past year’s Ivy League Championships, Durham set personal best times in the 100 free (43.82) and 500 free (4:22.05) while also being a part of five relay teams. As a junior, Durham was named to the Ivy League’s first team.

Sticklen just finished a decorated career at Texas, defending her title in the 200 butterfly by breaking the previous record of 1:49.16 held by Alex Walsh.

In 2023, she was named the Big 12 Swimmer of the Year.

According to a story in The 50 Athletes earlier this year, Sticklen and Durham were planning a move to Philadelphia, and it’s unclear how much longer Sticklen will continue to swim competitively.

Prior to her college career, Sticklen swam for Katy Aquatics and for Taylor High School while growing up in Katy. She was the 2019 Texas state champion in the 100 butterfly and 100 backstroke and qualified for the 2021 Olympic trials. Sticklen still owns the state record in the 100 butterfly (51.88).

In a video posted on Instagram, Sticklen and Durham are shown exchanging vows in an outdoor space and then donning cowboy hats for post-ceremony photos.

Toward the end of the reception, Sticklen did a crowd surf.