Rex Maurer Smashes American 500 Freestyle Record at Texas Invitational

Texas Invitational: Rex Maurer Sets New American Record in 

Rex Maurer has redefined his swimming career by shattering the American record in the 500 freestyle at the Texas Hall of Fame Swimming Invitational. After a challenging stint at Stanford and a transformative transfer to Texas, Maurer achieved an awe-inspiring performance, cementing his name among the sport’s elite.

A Historic Performance in the 500 Freestyle

On Wednesday night, Rex Maurer delivered a stunning swim that obliterated the previous American record in the 500 freestyle. Clocking an impressive 4:04.45, he surpassed the former record of 4:06.32, set by Kieran Smith at the 2020 SEC Championships. This monumental achievement made Maurer the second-fastest swimmer in history for the event.

What makes this feat even more extraordinary is the progression of Maurer’s performance. Entering the day, his lifetime best stood at 4:11.88, a mark he set during last year’s meet while swimming for Stanford. He improved to 4:09.49 in Wednesday’s prelims before delivering his record-breaking final swim—a jaw-dropping improvement of over five seconds in a single day.

Rivalry in the Pool: Defeating Top Contenders

Rex Maurer didn’t just break records; he dominated a field packed with talent. His Texas Longhorns teammates, including David Johnston and Luke Hobson, were among the competitors. Johnston, who earned a silver in the 1500-meter freestyle at the U.S. Olympic Trials, placed second with a time of 4:09.41, while Hobson, an Olympic bronze medalist, came in fourth with 4:12.92.

Notably, Maurer’s swim eclipsed another incredible performance earlier in the day. Carson Foster, a former Longhorn, recorded a time of 4:05.81 during a time trial, briefly surpassing the previous American record in the 500 freestyle before Maurer rewrote the books later that evening.

Chasing History: Leon Marchand’s Legacy

While Maurer’s achievement is monumental, the fastest 500 freestyle swim in history still belongs to Leon Marchand. The former Arizona State swimmer and Olympic champion clocked an astonishing 4:02.31 at last year’s NCAA Championships. Maurer now stands just behind Marchand, closing the gap in this prestigious race for greatness.

Texas Dominates the Invitational

Rex Maurer’s performance was the highlight of a stellar evening for the Texas Longhorns. The team excelled in multiple events, with notable wins including:

• 200 Free Relay: The team of Garrett Gould, Camden Taylor, Alec Filipovic, and Kyle Peck secured victory with a time of 1:16.73.
• 200 IM: Will Modglin edged out Hubert Kos to win with 1:40.97, setting a season-leading time in the process.

Additionally, Modglin set the fastest time in the country for the 100 backstroke, clocking 44.41 while leading off the Longhorns’ 400 medley relay.

A Night to Remember for U.S. Swimming

Rex Maurer’s achievement symbolizes a resurgence for American swimming, especially for the Texas Longhorns. The team’s performance at their home invitational showcased their depth and dominance. From record-breaking swims to standout performances across various events, the Texas Invitational was a true celebration of excellence.

Maurer’s remarkable journey—from a tough season at Stanford to breaking records in Texas—highlights his resilience and potential. With this performance, he has firmly established himself as a swimmer to watch on both the national and international stage.