Lydia Jacoby, the Olympic gold medalist from Alaska, has announced her decision to forgo her remaining NCAA eligibility at the University of Texas to pursue a professional swimming career. The 20-year-old swimmer, who gained fame after winning gold in the women's 100-meter breaststroke at the Tokyo Olympics, expressed gratitude for her time at Texas, where she won a national championship and multiple Big 12 titles. Despite her successful collegiate career, Jacoby missed qualifying for the Paris Olympics after placing third at the U.S. Olympic Trials. She plans to continue her studies in advertising at the University of Texas while transitioning to professional competition. Jacoby's decision aligns with a trend among elite swimmers opting to turn pro early, following in the footsteps of other notable athletes like Katie Ledecky.