Texas Swimmer Lydia Jacoby Forfeits Remaining NCAA Eligibility at the University of Texas and Goes Pro
Olympic Gold Medalist Lydia Jacoby has announced that she will forgo her remaining collegiate eligibility in order to pursue professional swimming. She took to Instagram on Wednesday to discuss this decision.
“After careful consideration and with the support of my coaches and loved ones, I have decided to forgo my collegiate eligibility to pursue professional swimming. I committed to Texas long before my life was forever changed at the Tokyo Olympic games in 2020, and am glad I honored that commitment. I have absolutely loved my two seasons of swimming for the Longhorns and I’m eternally grateful for the coaching staff and my teammates at Texas. I’m continuing to work on my degree in advertising at the University of Texas and am excited for the future”
As a sophomore in High School, Jacoby saw great success at the 2021 Olympic Games in Tokyo. She made history as the first Alaskan swimmer to ever qualify, walking away with 3 medals (1 gold, 1 silver, 1 bronze). However, she just missed the mark to qualify for this past summer’s games in Paris. At the 2024 Olympic Trials in Indianapolis, Jacoby placed 3rd in the 100 Breast behind 2016 Olympic Champion Lily King and UVA’s Emma Webber.
Photo via Jack Spitser/Spitser Photography
As a member of the UT team, Jacoby saw great success. She won the both the 100 & 200 Breaststroke at the Big XII Conference Championships her freshman and sophomore seasons. In 2023, she was the NCAA Division I Champion in the 100 breaststroke. Her performances helped to lead the women to victory at both Big XII Championships she competed in.
