SMU will send six swimmers to the NCAA Championships in Atlanta, Georgia, beginning this week, where they will compete in four individual events and two relays.
Mustangs Aim for Continued Progress at NCAA Championships
Jack Berube and Francis Brennan will each compete in two individual events. Eli Likins, Harold Lockhart, Sage Sungail, and Jack Forrest will participate in the 400 and 800 freestyle relays. Divers Luke Sitz and Grant Cates will too join the team in Atlanta.
This appearance marks a significant step for the SMU program, which Head Coach Greg Rhodenbaugh believes is steadily improving. “It just means that our program is getting better and better and better,” Rhodenbaugh said. The team has been setting school records, with only one remaining untouched from Rhodenbaugh’s time as coach—though he previously coached the record holder.
Berube, a record-holder himself, qualified for the championships after narrowly missing out last year. He will swim in the 100 and 200 backstroke, aiming to finish in the Top 16 and score team points.
The team’s strength extends beyond individual performances. Berube noted the positive impact of having multiple swimmers competing, stating, “A great group of six guys in the water at one point in time is uplifting and helps.”
Freshman Francis Brennan will make his NCAA debut, having qualified in the 200 and 500 freestyle. He reached the A Final at the ACC Championships in the 200 freestyle and has broken the school record in the 200 freestyle multiple times, most recently with a time of 1:32.13.
Lockhart, Sungail, and Forrest, veterans of the program, will also compete. Forrest was part of the 800 free relay that earned All-America status in 2024—the first Mustang relay to do so in over a decade.
Sophomore Eli Likins will gain valuable experience at the championships, contributing to the 400 relay. Coach Rhodenbaugh, a former SMU swimmer and coach, returned seven years ago with the goal of rebuilding the program and sees this group as evidence of progress.
“That was kind of the whole idea of coming back, just to try and get it back competitive and toward the Top 10,” Rhodenbaugh said. He believes the program is “accelerating quicker than the wave” and is optimistic about its future.
Frequently Asked Questions
What events will the SMU swimmers compete in?
SMU swimmers will compete in four individual events and two relays: the 100 and 200 backstroke, the 200 and 500 freestyle, the 400 freestyle relay, and the 800 freestyle relay.
How many NCAA champions has SMU produced?
SMU has produced 29 NCAA champions in its history, but none since 1998.
What is the significance of Francis Brennan’s qualification?
Francis Brennan is the program’s first freshman NCAA qualifier since 2009.
As SMU’s swimmers prepare to compete in Atlanta, what impact will this experience have on the program’s trajectory in the years to approach?
