Summer McIntosh of Toronto made her debut at the Pan Pacific Swimming Championships by securing second place in the women’s 200-meter freestyle in Irvine, California. The 19-year-old finished the race in 1:53.86, narrowly behind Australia’s Lani Pallister, who set a championship record of 1:53.67. New Zealand’s Erika Fairweather took third place with a time of 1:55.05. After the race, McIntosh expressed her disappointment, acknowledging areas for improvement in her performance and setting her sights on future goals, including the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.
Despite trailing Pallister by a fraction of a second at various points in the race, McIntosh showcased her competitive spirit throughout. This event marked McIntosh’s return to the 200 freestyle on the international stage since the 2023 world championships. She is set to compete in additional events at the championships, including the 200 individual medley, 400 free, and 400 IM. McIntosh’s focus and determination are evident as she continues to strive for excellence in her swimming career.