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Westlake Today
By the People, for the People
Austin-Area Swimmers Poised for State Titles
Top high school swimmers from Bowie, LASA, and Westlake set to compete at UIL state championships
Published on Feb. 28, 2026
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Several standout swimmers from the Austin area are expected to contend for medals at this weekend's UIL state swimming and diving meet. Top competitors include Bowie's Rowan Cox, Georgetown's Roger Henson, Anderson's Ben Jaggers, LASA's Elizabeth Bircher and Charissa Higgs, and Westlake's Lucy Gilbreath and Bianca Hutter.
Why it matters
The UIL state swimming and diving championships are the culmination of the high school season, where the best swimmers from across Texas compete for individual and team titles. Austin-area schools like Bowie, LASA, and Westlake have built strong swimming programs, and this meet showcases the depth of talent in the region.
The details
Bowie's 200-yard medley relay team enters the meet with the fastest regional time in Class 6A. Bowie senior Rowan Cox, who will swim for the University of Texas next year, is the top seed in the 100 butterfly and 100 backstroke. Other Austin-area swimmers to watch include Georgetown's Roger Henson in the 100 backstroke, Anderson's Ben Jaggers in the backstroke and 50 freestyle, LASA's Elizabeth Bircher and Charissa Higgs in freestyle and diving, and Westlake's Lucy Gilbreath in the 200 IM and Bianca Hutter in diving.
- The UIL state swimming and diving meet is scheduled for this Friday and Saturday, February 21-22, 2026.
- Rowan Cox won a gold and silver medal at the 2025 state meet.
The players
Rowan Cox
A senior at Bowie High School who is the top seed in the Class 6A 100 butterfly and 100 backstroke. He will swim for the University of Texas next year.
Roger Henson
A junior at Georgetown High School who enters the state meet with the fourth-fastest time in the Class 5A 100 backstroke.
Ben Jaggers
A swimmer at Anderson High School who won the Class 5A backstroke and placed fifth in the 50 freestyle at last week's regional meet.
Elizabeth Bircher
A senior at LASA High School who qualified for the UIL meet with the state's best score in the Class 5A 1-meter diving competition.
Charissa Higgs
A freshman at LASA High School who won regional gold in the 200 freestyle and bronze in the 100 freestyle in Class 5A.
What they’re saying
“Several Austin-area swimmers are expected to be in contention for medals at this weekend's UIL state swimming and diving meet.”
— Rick Cantu, Author (statesman.com)
What’s next
The UIL state swimming and diving championships will take place this Friday and Saturday, February 21-22, 2026 at the Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swimming Center on the University of Texas campus.
The takeaway
The depth of swimming talent in the Austin area is on full display at the UIL state meet, with several local athletes poised to compete for individual and team titles. This highlights the strength of the region's high school swimming programs and the pipeline of talent feeding into colleges like the University of Texas.
