Canadian Trials Finalist Rowan Baglole (2026) Sends Verbal Pledge to WVU Mountaineers

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Rowan Baglole, a rising senior at Father Leo J. Austin Catholic Secondary School in Whitby, Ontario, has announced her intention to swim and study at West Virginia University beginning in the 2026-27 school year.

“I am beyond excited to announce my verbal commitment to continue my academic and athletic career at West Virginia University! Thank you to my family, Coach Don, Karen, Meena, and Dean, whose encouragement and support have helped get me to where I am today! I’d also like to thank Coach Sydney, Michael, and Brent for this amazing opportunity! Go Mountaineers 💙💛”

Baglole swims and trains under coach Don Burton at the Ontario Swim Academy at Toronto Pan Am Centre and competes for Ajax Aquatic Club. The Ontario Swim Academy is funded by Swim Ontario, the NextGen Program of Own the Podium, Swimming Canada, and the OHPSI program of the Canadian Sport Institute Ontario. She specializes in sprint free and fly.

She told SwimSwam: “I chose WVU because the team is determined to succeed and the coaches are incredibly motivated to build the program. This is absolutely something I want to be a part of and contribute to!! I am excited to train under three-time Canadian Olympian Sydney Pickrem and Coaches Michael Walker and Brent MacDonald.”

Baglole competed in the 50/100/200 free and 50/100 fly at the 2025 Canadian Swimming Trials in June and finaled in the 50 fly (11th). She was also a finalist in the 50 fly at the Canadian Open in April, coming in 6th with a PB of 27.73. She earned a number of PBs in March at the Ontario Age Group Championships, where she came in 5th in the 50 free (26.92), 5th in the 100 free (57.41), 4th in the 200 free (2:05.44), 12th in the 100 back (1:06.83), and 11th in the 100 fly (1:03.82).

In December, she won silver in the SCM 50 fly at the Ontario Junior International, clocking a lifetime best of 27.46. She also finaled in the 50 free (12th), 100 free (8th), 200 free (19th), 50 back (9th), and 100 fly (10th).

The Mountaineers finished 9th out of 10 teams in the women’s meet at 2025 Big 12 Championships. It took 55.09 in the 100 fly and 23.17/50.48/1:49.72 in the 50/100/200 free to score at the conference level last season.

Best LCM times (converted to SCY):

  • 50 free – 26.92 (23.53)
  • 100 free – 57.41 (50.27)
  • 200 free – 2:05.44 (1:50.12)
  • 50 fly – 27.73 (24.35)
  • 100 fly – 1:03.64 (56.07)
  • 50 back – 30.92 (27.31)

At West Virginia, Baglole plans to study sports psychology. “I am excited to study Sports Psychology at WVU!  Being able to give back to my sport in this way will be incredible.  I hope to support younger swimmers in developing strategies that promote a positive mindset, resilience, and confidence which will enhance their overall performance and personal growth both in and out of the pool.”

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EASTCOASTSWIM
10 months ago

Congrats, Rowan!! Another OSA talent. 👏🏻

About Anne Lepesant

Anne Lepesant

Anne Lepesant is the mother of four daughters, all of whom swam in college. With an undergraduate degree from Princeton (where she was an all-Ivy tennis player) and an MBA from INSEAD, she worked for many years in the financial industry, both in France and the U.S. Anne is currently …

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