Croatian swimmer Jere Hribar has broken three pool records while competing for Louisiana State University (LSU), earning the Southeastern Conference (SEC) Men’s Swimmer of the Week award after an outstanding performance against Texas A&M.
The 22-year-old athlete from Split delivered some of the fastest times in American college swimming this season, helping LSU secure a 181.5–116.5 victory on October 23.
The conference announced his weekly award on October 27, recognizing his achievements in three individual events.
Croatian Swimmer Sets Three Records for LSU
Hribar dominated the sprint events during LSU’s meeting with Texas A&M.
He completed the 100-yard butterfly in 45.36 seconds, setting both a school record and a pool record. His performance ranked fifth nationally at that point in the collegiate season.
In the 50-yard freestyle, he recorded a time of 18.68 seconds, establishing another pool record and the second-fastest collegiate time in the United States this season.
His most impressive performance came in the 100-yard freestyle.
Hribar finished in 41.21 seconds, setting a third pool record and recording the fastest time in the country this season.
The Croatian swimmer also contributed to LSU’s successful 200-yard medley relay team.
The victory was especially significant for LSU, which defeated Texas A&M in a head-to-head swimming meet for the first time since 2014.
Hribar serves as one of LSU’s team captains and is currently in his senior year.
Head coach Rick Bishop praised the swimmer’s commitment to training and his influence on the team.
Bishop also expressed confidence that Hribar could achieve even stronger results as the season progresses.
From Croatia to American College Swimming Success
Hribar’s latest achievements continue an impressive period in his international swimming career.
At the 2026 European Aquatics Championships in Paris, he helped Croatia win a bronze medal in the men’s 4×100-meter freestyle relay.
He also finished fifth in the individual 100-meter freestyle, setting a Croatian national record of 47.42 seconds.
In December 2025, Hribar won gold in the 50-meter freestyle at the European Short Course Swimming Championships in Lublin, Poland.
He also earned silver in the 100-meter freestyle and bronze as part of Croatia’s 4×50-meter freestyle relay team.
His accomplishments earned him recognition as Croatia’s Sportsman of the Year for 2025 in the annual selection by sports newspaper Sportske novosti.
The swimmer now continues to balance his American collegiate career with international competition for Croatia.
LSU’s next scheduled swimming meet is against Auburn on November 5 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
For Croatian sports fans in the United States and Canada, Hribar’s success represents another example of a young Balkan athlete achieving recognition in American college sports.
His three pool records and national rankings have established him as one of the standout sprinters in the SEC this season.
