News Summary
Ella Mongenel, a committed swimmer to the University of Texas, distinguished herself at the Austin Sectionals by winning the 50-meter freestyle with an impressive time of 25.80 seconds. This victory marks the seventh-fastest time in her age group this season. Other standout performances included Alexandra Dunn in the women’s 1500-meter freestyle and Leo Pelaez in the boys’ category. The meet drew attention to both established athletes and rising talents, asserting the competitive spirit within the swimming community.
Austin, TX –
Ella Mongenel, a swimmer committed to the University of Texas, captured the spotlight at the recently concluded 2025 Austin Sectionals by winning the 50-meter freestyle with a remarkable time of 25.80 seconds. This performance ranks as the seventh-fastest time recorded this season in her age group. Mongenel edged out runner-up Avery Littlefield, who finished with a time of 25.82 seconds, in a competitive race that showcased the talent and determination of young swimmers.
The Austin Sectionals not only highlighted Mongenel’s achievements but also featured other outstanding performances across various events. Alexandra Dunn claimed victory in the women’s 1500-meter freestyle with a personal best time of 17:32.06, improving her previous time by over 15 seconds. This remarkable event saw fellow competitor Cloe Nader from the Alamo Area Aquatic Association place third, also breaking the 18-minute barrier for the first time with a time of 17:36.19.
In the men’s category, Leo Pelaez won the championship in the boys’ 1500-meter freestyle with a personal best of 15:49.84, improving his prior best by more than 10 seconds. Additionally, Nathan Sherrard from Aggie Swim Club showcased his talent by finishing fifth in the 200 IM with a time of 2:08.39, a significant improvement from his previous best of 2:12.21.
Summary of the Meet
The 2025 Columbia Sectionals concluded with strong performances from various teams, with the Tsunami Swim Team winning the men’s title and Empire KC taking home the women’s team title. This event served as an important competitive platform, demonstrating the skill levels of both established collegiate athletes and up-and-coming age group swimmers.
Other notable performances include Lillie Nesty, who secured victories in both the 200 back with a time of 2:14.02 and the 100 fly finishing in 1:00.21, marking her total wins for the meet at three. The competition atmosphere was further enriched by rising senior Drew Salls from NC State, who posted an impressive time of 21.93 in the 50 freestyle at the North Carolina Senior Championships, improving by over two-tenths of a second from his previous personal best.
Training and Preparation
The meet also featured international participation, as Fijian swimmer Patricia Verebasaga took part in a 10-day training camp with the Mission Viejo Nadadores in June, preparing ahead of the upcoming Pacific Mini Games.
Competitive Environment
The Austin Sectionals proved to be a hub of fast-paced swimming and personal bests, with numerous swimmers demonstrating their capabilities across various events. The competition provided an excellent opportunity for athletes to display their skills in front of an audience and peers while aiming for personal improvement and team success.
Overall, the event’s combination of rising talent, established swimmers, and competitive spirit made for an exciting and successful highlight in the swimming calendar.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Longhorn Aquatics Shine at 2025 Austin Sectionals
Dads Club Swim Team Athlete Achieves Personal Best
Additional Resources
- SwimSwam: Ella Mongenel at Austin Sectionals
- Wikipedia: Swimming
- SwimSwam: Swimmers to Watch at Speedo Sectionals
- Google Search: 2025 Austin Sectionals
- SwimSwam: Jacob Bougaieff at Austin Sectionals
- Google Scholar: Competitive Swimming Techniques
- SwimSwam: College Stars at Austin Sectionals
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Olympic Swimming
- Swimming World Magazine: Elite Swimmers at Speedo Sectionals
- Google News: Austin Speedo Sectionals
Author: STAFF HERE AUSTIN WRITER
The AUSTIN STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREAustinTX.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Austin, Travis County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as SXSW, Austin City Limits Music Festival, Formula 1 United States Grand Prix, and the Austin Film Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce and Visit Austin, plus leading businesses in technology, automotive, and retail that power the local economy such as Dell Technologies, Tesla, and Apple. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERECollegeStation.com, HEREDallas.com, HEREHouston.com, and HERESanAntonio.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.
