Canadian Roster Update: Abby Dunford and Josh Liendo Qualify for Worlds

2022 Canadian Swimming Trials

• April 5th-April 10th, 2022
• Saanich Commonwealth Place, Victoria, BC
• Meet Central
• Psych Sheet
• Live Results
• Live Stream
• Qualification Standards
• Day 2 Finals Live Recap

Six swimmers etched their names, tentatively, on the Canadian 2022 FINA World Championships roster tonight during the Canadian Swimming Trials in Victoria, British Columbia.

As a reminder, here are the qualification rules:

Canadian World Championship and Commonwealth Games Selection Procedures

Two-time Olympian Kylie Masse obliterated the 50 back FINA ‘A’ cut with a Canadian record time of 27.18 to add to her potential World Championships events. Ingrid Wilm joined her under the ‘A’ cut in second place, but 50 stroke races are not selection events for Worlds at this meet so her spot is not guaranteed.

While Olympic medalist Maggie MacNeil and Katerine Savard both broke the FINA ‘A’ cut in the 100 fly to earn spots on the roster, MacNeil has said she will not be racing at this year’s World Championships. She told CBC the decision was to prioritize her mental health.

19-year-old Josh Liendo broke his own Canadian record in the 100 fly by half-a-second to add his name to the projected World Championship roster. His 50.88 was the second-fastest 100 LCM butterfly of the year, behind Japan’s Naoki Mizunuma who swam a 50.86 this season. Finlay Knox also cracked the ‘A’ cut in second place to add to his potential World Championships events.

16-year-old Abby Dunford, who trains with the Sandpipers of Nevada, achieved the final FINA ‘A’ cut of the night with her win in the 1500 free. She needed to drop 9 seconds from her lifetime best time to break the ‘A’ cut – she dropped 18 seconds instead. Worlds will be her first international meet representing Team Canada.

While no one achieved FINA ‘A’ cuts in the men’s 800 free or 50 back, Eric Brown broke the ‘B’ cut while winning the 800 free and is eligible for the World Championships roster under priority 3. 17-year-old 50 back champion Loic Courville Fortin also cracked the ‘B’ cut, but his spot is not guaranteed since 50 stroke events are not qualification races at this meet.

Projected Canadian World Championships Roster:

Women:

• Sydney Pickrem – 200 IM
• Mary-Sophie Harvey – 200 IM
• Summer McIntosh – 400 Freestyle
• Kylie Masse – 100 Backstroke
• Taylor Ruck – 100 Backstroke
• Katerine Savard – 100 Butterfly
• Abby Dunford – 1500 Freestyle

Men:

• Finlay Knox – 200 IM, 100 Butterfly
• Josh Liendo – 100 Butterfly
• Eric Brown – 800 Freestyle

Swimmers Qualified For Commonwealth Games Selection Priority 1 (Under Canadian “A” Standard)

Women:

• Summer McIntosh – 400 Freestyle
• Kylie Masse – 100 Backstroke

Men:

• Finlay Knox – 200 IM
• Josh Liendo – 100 Butterfly

Swimmers Qualified for Commonwealth Games Selection Priorities 2-4

Women:

• Sydney Pickrem – 200 IM 
• Mary-Sophie Harvey – 200 IM
• Tess Cieplucha – 200 IM
• Katerine Savard – 100 Butterfly

Men:

• Finlay Knox – 100 Butterfly