Rice Owls Head to FAU Fun Invite as 2025 Winds Down

Rice University’s swimming and diving squad is wrapping up the year with one final burst of competitive energy. The Owls are heading to Boca Raton for the FAU Fun Invite, a late‑December meet designed to give programs one more tune‑up before the new year begins. For Houston-area fans, it’s another chance to track a team that continues to build momentum behind a deep roster and an ambitious mindset.

The Owls have been grinding through a demanding winter block of training, and this meet offers an opportunity to convert that work into race‑ready speed. The format is intentionally lighthearted, but the competitive edge is real. Coaches often use this meet to test lineups, experiment with race strategies, and give the athletes a final confidence boost before shifting toward the championship phase of the season.

Why the FAU Fun Invite Matters

Rice has been steadily climbing in the American Athletic Conference landscape, and these meets play an important role in that rise. While the Fun Invite isn’t a high‑stakes championship, it provides timely insight into swimmer progression. Athletes can evaluate how their mid‑season tapering and training adjustments are paying off, and coaches can spot emerging strengths or lineup gaps.

For Houston supporters, the meet underscores the program’s continued commitment to competing nationally while proudly representing the city. The Owls have consistently developed talent that excels both in and out of the water, and late‑season competitions like this help maintain that reputation.

What’s Next for the Owls

Once the team returns home to Houston, the athletes will finish their holiday training cycle before turning their focus toward key conference matchups in early 2026. With several swimmers already posting season‑best times, Rice is positioned for a strong push into the championship season.

Momentum is the name of the game, and the Fun Invite is the perfect place to generate it.

This article is a summary of reporting by Rice University Athletics. Read the full story here.