The Austin Pro Swim Series 2026 is heating up, but not everyone is diving in. Day 4 of the prelims has already seen some surprising scratches, leaving fans and analysts alike scratching their heads. Among the most notable absences is Josh Matheny, the Indiana swimmer who has withdrawn from not just one, but three events—the 100 breast, 50 breast, and now the 200 breast, where he held the #2 seed. But here's where it gets controversial: is Matheny's decision a strategic move to conserve energy, or a sign of something more concerning? We'll explore that later.
But it’s not all about who’s missing—some big names are still in the game. Shaine Casas, who had a rough go in the 200 free yesterday, is back and ready to make waves in the 100 free, where he’s seeded #6. Casas’ performance has been a rollercoaster this series, and his decision to stick with the 100 free could be a game-changer. And this is the part most people miss: Casas’ ability to bounce back after a tough race could be the key to his success in the finals.
On the women’s side, Regan Smith continues to dominate, holding the #1 seed in the 200 fly. She’s set to attempt the 50 back/200 fly double—a feat she’s mastered at the last three world championships. But is this double a sustainable strategy, or is Smith pushing herself too hard? We’ll let you decide.
Switching gears, Jack Dahlgren has made a bold move by dropping the 100 free, where he was the #17 seed, in favor of the 200 fly, where he’s the reigning World University Games champion. This decision pits him against heavyweights like Carson Foster and Gabriel Jett, setting the stage for an epic showdown. But here’s the question: is Dahlgren biting off more than he can chew, or is he playing the long game?
The scratches don’t stop there. Claire Burns and Karo Trinquesse, the #5 and #9 seeds in the women’s 200 breast, have also withdrawn, leaving the field wide open. This raises an interesting point: are these scratches a result of strategic planning, or are they indicative of larger issues within the sport? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
Full Scratch Report:
Women’s 100 Freestyle
- #14 Kennedi Southern – 55.91
- #18 Renee Nealon – 57.08
- #19 Dara Duffy – 57.08
- #21 Cora Skoog – 57.33
- #23 Lilly Jayne Allison – 57.53
Men’s 100 Freestyle
- #17 Jack Dahlgren – 49.56
- #20 Grant Bochenski – 49.92
- #37 Coyle Moore – 52.17
Women’s 200 Breaststroke
- #5 Claire Burns – 2:35.23
- #9 Karo Trinquesse – 2:38.40
- #12 Lilly Jayne Allison – 2:16.69Y
Men’s 200 Breaststroke
- #2 Josh Matheny – 2:08.79
- #12 Daxs Schoenbeck – 2:18.42
- #14 Adam Fusti-Molnar – 2:18.83
Women’s 200 Butterfly
- No scratches
Men’s 200 Butterfly
- No scratches
As we head into the finals, the question remains: who will rise to the top, and who will be left behind? And more importantly, what do these scratches say about the state of competitive swimming today? Share your thoughts below—we want to hear from you!
