NCAA men's swimming and diving championships: Kos destroys 100 backstroke national record to win NCAA title

AUSTIN, TEXAS - DECEMBER 06: Hubert Kos competes in the Men's 200m Backstroke final during day 4 of the Toyota U. S. Open at Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swimming Center on December 06, 2025 in Austin, Texas.

(Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images) Alex Slitz via Getty Images Texas senior Hubert Kos and Florida senior Josh Liendo are in a heavyweight battle for NCAA swimmer of the year. After Liendo threw the first punch last night with his 100 butterfly title and NCAA record , Kos followed it up with a record of his own. Kos not only won another 100 backstroke NCAA title , he became the first man to ever break 43 seconds in 100 yards of backstroke.

Liendo then won the 50 freestyle NCAA title in the final individual swimming event of the night. An eight session meet turned into an eight round brawl as Florida and Texas have continued to go back and forth individually and in the team race. Texas took a 60 point lead after the 100 backstroke, but Florida continued to claw back throughout the finals session.

The Gators upset Texas’ Rex Maurer in the 500 freestyle, finishing first and second in the race, and Liendo made it back to back wins for Florida in the 50 free. Draft your Yahoo Fantasy Baseball team for the 2026 MLB Season Indiana had the most swims of the night, pushing the Hoosiers past Arizona State by nine points. With one day to go, Texas the ability to secure a second straight NCAA team title.