Canadian Roster Update: McIntosh, Wilm, Pickrem Among Worlds Qualifiers 

2023 Canadian Swimming Trials

Night one of the 2023 Canadian Swimming Trials saw one world record fall and eight swimmers punch their tickets to the 2023 World Championships in July

As a reminder, the top two swimmers under the FINA ‘A’ cut during the ‘A’ finals of this meet have first priority to qualify for the 2023 World Championships roster, according to Swimming Canada’s selection procedure. A maximum of two swimmers can qualify per individual event. 

16-year-old Summer McIntosh cruised to victory in the 400 free, hitting the wall first by more than 10 seconds with a new world record time of 3:56.08. She shaved .32 off the previous mark set by Australia’s Ariarne Titmus in 2022. Ella Jansen snagged second place (4:08.81) by beating the FINA ‘A’ cut and joining McIntosh in earning a spot on Canada’s World Championships roster.

Earlier in the session, Sydney Pickrem had her fastest 200 breast swim since 2019 to win the final with a time of 2:24.63 and become the first person to notch her name on the Worlds roster. Kelsey Wog hit the wall second (2:25.26), also under the FINA ‘A’ standard.

In the women’s 100 back, Ingrid Wilm overtook Canadian record holder and former world record holder Kylie Masse on the final 50 meters to win gold in a time of 58.80. This was a huge swim for Wilm who finished 3rd in the event last year and therefore didn’t qualify for the 2022 World Championships in the 100. Masse hit the wall second (59.00), also under the FINA ‘A’ cut, so she will join Wilm on the roster.

Javier Acevedo was one of two swimmers to earn a spot on the men’s roster, officially, tonight after he blasted a time of 53.83 in the 100 back to win gold and beat the standard by .20. That’s Acevedo’s fastest 100 back since 2018 when he competed at the Pan Pacific Championships and posted a 53.90.

While no one cracked the FINA ‘A’ cut in the men’s 200 breast final, James Dergousoff beat it during prelims with a 2:10.01. The swim had to occur during an ‘A’ final to officially punch his ticket to World under Priority 1, but he could potentially qualify for the Worlds roster under Priority 7: “The High Performance Director may at his sole discretion select eligible Swimmers where space remains in individual events or may select Swimmers to enhance relays.”

Gold medal winner Brayden Taivassalo did not break the FINA ‘A’ cut (he posted a time of 2:11.28), but he does qualify for Canada’s roster under Priority 4: “ If no FINA “A” standard is achieved in an event “the fastest placed eligible Swimmer, provided they have attained the Swimming Canada secondary qualification standard will be selected.” Even though Dergousoff’s prelims time was faster, it does not count since it was not posted during finals.

Projected Canadian World Championships Roster:

Women:

Men:

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commonwombat
1 year ago

Will be very interesting to see how W200FR plays out at this meet. One from the perspective of what time SM may put down but, secondly, what times the “supporting cast” such as Smith,Jansen may produce ………. and whether these may induce a phone call to selectors from at least one of Ruck & Oleksiak saying “about Fukuoka; I AM interested …. even if its just for the relays !”

Demarrit Steenbergen
1 year ago

To quote myself (I think it was pretty clever): “ No more wilm she won’t she make the team. Great to see her LC come together *stares at max McHugh*”

Jimmyswim
Reply to  Demarrit Steenbergen
1 year ago

To be honest I didn’t understand this at first because it just looked like a mistake (probably should have been ‘Wilm she OR won’t she), but now I see that it was deliberate wordplay it is quite good.

Pesci Details
Reply to  Jimmyswim
1 year ago

Same. “She wilm finally be on the team” makes the point clearer without the double negative. Whatever: hopefully she wilm no longer not dominate! Don’t not go, Wilm!

Jimmyswim
Reply to  Pesci Details
1 year ago

She Wilm certainly be getting some attention as a potential spoiler in the 100 back

Titobiloluwa
1 year ago

Tavaissalo is said to be qualified also

Jimmyswim
Reply to  Titobiloluwa
1 year ago

He can’t be. You can only enter two swimmers in an event if both have the A cut, and BT doesn’t have the A cut.

Jimmyswim
Reply to  Titobiloluwa
1 year ago

Then they can’t select Dergousoff. They’ll have to choose one or the other. I would think they would choose the person who actually made the A cut but perhaps not.

ldn
Reply to  Jimmyswim
1 year ago

he is because the criteria say that if no-one swims the A standard( in the final) the winner gets selected if their time is within 1 percent of the A standard. Dergoussoff can get on the team in the 100 br hopefully or if Taivassalo swims the A soon/gives up his spot

Titobiloluwa
1 year ago

Looking strong so far!

About Annika Johnson

Annika Johnson

Annika came into the sport competitively at age eight, following in the footsteps of her twin sister and older brother. The sibling rivalry was further fueled when all three began focusing on distance freestyle, forcing the family to buy two lap counters. Annika is a three-time Futures finalist in the 200 …

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