Austin, TX, WPH Press, 7/19/26
The University of Texas Handball Team proudly hosted the 2026 Longhorn Classic on the third weekend in July, UT Austin’s annual summer tournament on the campus of the University of Texas, featuring 37 players from across the Lone Star State and Missouri.
Men’s Open Singles
Holden Smith entered the 2026 Longhorn Classic as the defending champion and was joined by the Schmitt brothers, Noel Aguilar, and a number of strong players in the Men’s Open Singles.
Top-seeded Dylan Schmitt overcame Noel Aguilar in the upper bracket semifinals, while Taylor Schmitt ended Smith’s Longhorn title reign in a thriller. “Holden honestly had me and let me off the hook,” Taylor would later say. “He was playing well.”
The final was not played, due to an injury sustained by Dylan, making Taylor the 2026 Longhorn champion.
Semifinals
Dylan Schmitt def Noel Aguilar 21-18, 21-18
Taylor Schmitt def Holden Smith 21-19, 9-21, 11-8
Final: Taylor Schmitt def Dylan Schmitt (fft)
Women’s Open Singles
The four-player Women’s Open Singles bracket featured a number of competitive matches, headlined by the final match between Ashleigh Sharkey and Kristen Hughes.
After Sharkey and Hughes both won their opening two matches in the round robin, Sharkey clinched a close first game against Hughes and rode the momentum to the Longhorn title.
Final: Sharkey def Hughes 21-19, 21-12
JR WPH Coach Danos Continues to Inspire at the University of Texas HERE
Follow all of the brackets from the 2026 Longhorn Classic HERE
David Fink
WPH Senior Writer