NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The 2025-26 Vanderbilt swimming regular season comes to an end Friday when the Commodores visit Arkansas for a dual meet that is set to start at noon at the Arkansas Natatorium.
It’s the fifth consecutive season the two programs will compete after last winter’s meet was decided by the final relay, with the Razorbacks pulling out a 133-129 decision. Among Vandy swimmers returning from a year ago, Emily Constable recorded wins in both the 50 and 200 breaststroke in the matchup while Aubrey Hull and Quinlan Hinerfeld claimed the 50 and 200 backstroke, respectively.
Hull enters Friday’s meet with the Dores’ fastest marks in the 100 freestyle along with the 100 and 200 back, as she is one of five individuals pacing the team in multiple events. Melissa Cowen has Vandy’s top times in the 50 freestyle and 100 and 200 breast while Madelyn Porter leads the program in the 200, 500 and 1,000 freestyle. Ellie Butler is pacing the Commodores in the 100 and 200 butterfly and Bailey Ratzburg has the best marks on the team in the 200 and 400 individual medley.
Vanderbilt last competed on consecutive days two weekends ago, playing host to SEC opponents Kentucky and Texas A&M on Jan. 16 before visiting Southern Illinois the following afternoon. Kate Heintz claimed the 100 fly in the dual meet with the Salukis, with Hull earning a pair of runner-up finishes in the 100 and 200 back, Cowen touching the wall second in the 200 breast, and Porter and Merritt Zieminick posting second-place results in the 500 and 1,000 free, respectively.
Cowen also contributed a second-place finish in the 100 breast against the Wildcats and Aggies.
“I really want to see a total group effort in our last opportunity in a dual meet situation,” head coach Jeremy Organ said. “It would be nice to finish strong coming off all the events in town the last few days, we’re lucky to be able to go up there and get this competition in so I hope we can take advantage of this opportunity. I know we’re ready for this final push as we near the postseason.”
