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Austin Carpenter from Dublin, Ohio, has announced his intention to swim and study at the University of Texas beginning in the 2026-27 school year.
“It is with humility and honor that I announce my verbal commitment to further my academic and athletic careers at the University of Texas! I want to thank the Lord and all the support I have gained from my family, friends, teammates, and teachers, as well as Coach Kyle, Coach McKinley, Coach Lopresti, and Coach Eric. I would like to also thank Coach Bowman, Coach Erik, and Coach Trevor for entrusting me with the winning tradition of Texas. HOOK ‘EM 🤘”
Carpenter is a junior at St. Charles Preparatory School; he swims club with Central Ohio Aquatics and excels in sprint free and breast. He ranks 3rd on our Way Too Early list of top recruits from the high school class of 2026, thanks in large part to his best-in-class rankings in the 100 free and 100 breast.
In high school swimming, the then-sophomore won the 100 breast (54.31) and was runner-up in the 200 free (1:36.21, a PB) at the 2024 Ohio High School Division 1 Championships. He earned a PB in the 50 free (19.94) leading off the runner-up 200 free relay and split 23.94 on the breast to help St. Charles Prep win the medley relay.
In the two months leading up to high school states, Carpenter had established best times in the 100 free and 100 breast at Winter Juniors East, placing 8th and 5th, respectively, and in the 200 IM at a high school invitational. In March, he added new PBs in the 100 back (52.35), 50 breast (25.39), and 200 breast (2:02.89) at the Tim Myers Short Course Senior Championships.
Carpenter kicked off the 2024 long course season with a bang, clocking new best times in the 50 free (22.86), 100 free (50.66), 200 free (1:53.65), and 100 breast (1:03.98) at Indy Sectionals. He lowered his 100 free time to 50.64 and his 100 breast time to 1:03.55 at Speedo Summer Championships.
Best SCY times:
- 50 free – 19.94
- 100 free – 43.83
- 200 free – 1:36.21
- 100 breast – 53.70
- 200 IM – 1:48.52
Carpenter is new head coach Bob Bowman’s first public commitment to the Texas class of 2030. He will bring a rare versatility, being the only sub-54 breaststroke time and one of just two sub-53 freestylers in his class. He also has a lot of potential in the 200 IM, and his 50 and 200 free times should make him a threat on Texas relays.
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Any relation to Sabrina
FINALLY, Texas gets a sprinter
Texas – the new dynasty, similar to the Reese run for the roses.
Congratulations, Austin!
One of just 2 sub-53 freestylers in a class would be a really tough class. Think the 2026s are better than that.
The 2032’s probably are.
As the Bowman magic continues to evolve and involve more swimmers, I think one has to argue – again — that NCAA championships are going to be wonderfully competitive and successful from the point of Texas! Sure, this young athlete won’t be there for awhile, but if the idea of momentum has any weight in sports, then, yes, this is all going well.
Well, it’s Texas. So recruiting isn’t nearly as difficult as elsewhere. On the men’s side they can offer incoming freshman “scholarships” that comprise notebooks and pencils, and still get highly-rated commits.
I think you have mixed up Texas with Cal in the “scholarship” offering for out of state men swimmers.
Ahh. So right. Forgot about them.
Cal “Do-Your-Parents-Have-$300K-If-So-You-Can-Walk-On” Bears ….. to high school boys with P66 national cuts.
My bad.
Out of the top 4, did not think Carpenter would be UT’s first commit. This is going to be a sick class for UT
I think this is Texas’ highest ranked (going off of Swimswam’s lists) since Cooper Lucas two years ago and also Bowman’s highest ranked commit, depending on where you put Ilya Kharun at the time he committed. I think he was unranked before he went 45.5/1:42 butterfly swims at Jr Nationals. At the very least, Carpenter is the highest ranked US commit Bowman’s gotten, looking at his time at ASU and not sure on Michigan, as I can’t find much from then
None of that matters now. Only what’s ahead.
Welcome to Austin, Austin!