Summer McIntosh Blasts New 200 IM World Junior Record, 2:08.70

2022 COMMONWEALTH GAMES

Women’s 200 IM Results

FULL RESULTS

  1. Summer McIntosh (CAN), 2:08.70 WJR
  2. Kaylee McKeown (AUS), 2:09.52
  3. Abbie Wood (ENG), 2:10.68
  4. Rebecca Meder (RSA), 2:12.01
  5. Abbey Harkin (AUS), 2:12.25
  6. Mary-Sophie Harvey (CAN), 2:12.48
  7. Alicia Wilson (ENG), 2:14.08
  8. Ella Ramsay (AUS), 2:14.71

In finals on day 4 of the 2022 Commonwealth Games, Summer McIntosh stormed to 2:08.70 in the women’s 200 IM, a new world junior record. She turned for home on the freestyle leg in second, .12 seconds behind Kaylee McKeown, and out-split her 29.81 to 30.75 to win gold. With that swim, she also sweeps the IMs in Birmingham, having won the women’s 400 IM in world junior record time earlier in the meet.

The previous world junior record was 2:08.91, set by American Leah Hayes as she won bronze at the 2022 Worlds.

Split Comparison: McIntosh vs. Hayes WJRs

McIntosh – 2022 Commonwealth Games Hayes – 2022 Worlds
50 27.26 28.16
100 59.78 (32.52) 1:00.72 (32.56)
150 1:38.89 (39.11) 1:38.11 (37.52)
200 2:08.70 (29.81) 2:08.91 (30.80)

From the splits, you can see that McIntosh shines on the fly and free legs, unsurprising considering that she also won medals in the 200 fly and 400 free at Worlds. Their splits on backstroke are comparable, though McIntosh’s fly leg had her ahead of the record line. On the breaststroke leg though, Hayes out-splits her by over a second, leaving her chasing the record with a 50 to go. McIntosh got her hand on the wall .82 seconds ahead of silver medalist McKeown, but it was a much closer call with the record, as she broke it by .21 seconds.

At Worlds, McIntosh didn’t race the 200 IM, but if she adds the event to her program, we could see her and Hayes battling it out for years to come.

McIntosh just missed the Canadian Record, which Sydney Pickrem set at 2:08.61 in 2019.

On the last day of competition, McIntosh will race the 400 free and go head-t0-head with Ariarne Titmus.

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Hooked on Chlorine
2 years ago

McKeown would have won if she hadn’t already competed (and scored gold) in the grueling 200M backstroke.

Outside Smoke
Reply to  Hooked on Chlorine
2 years ago

The Woulda Shoulda Coulda Games continue!

Go Kamminga Go
2 years ago

Mackintosh is gonna be the female swimmer of the meet in 2024 Paris.

Book it!

Sherry Smit
2 years ago

The way McIntosh is swimming here, I do think that she may really put on a show against Titmus in the 400. I see Ledecky’s WJR going down possibly.

Jamesjabc
Reply to  Sherry Smit
2 years ago

I think it will be a fun race to watch, but really the only way it will be close is if Titmus is way off what she should be.

I think Ledecky’s WR is a bit of a stretch with 1:58.37. Summer would need to drop over a second since Worlds, and at worlds the 400 free was her first event and here it’s last after a heavy schedule.

Scotty
Reply to  Jamesjabc
2 years ago

She is off on day 5 session

REL
2 years ago

That’s 3 of 5 LC World Junior Records in 200 m events and 1 of 2 in 400 m events, with 1 year plus remaining to pick up the other 400 m WJR. Well within reach, though perhaps unlikely this week if her focus since Worlds has been IM.

Last edited 2 years ago by REL
Awsi Dooger
2 years ago

McIntosh seemed pleased and perhaps a bit surprised by that one. More of a grin and gleam. Her typical reaction is ho-hum even to the 4:29.

Not long ago this was being described here as one of her “off events.” I remember saying just wait until she swims it. There are now quite a few international stars whose Paris medal opportunities are dependent on Summer McIntosh skipping their event.

SwimFan NU
2 years ago

It would be really interesting to see her swim the stroke 200s and the 800. Feel like she could surprise some people

Weinstein-Smith-Ledecky-Sims
Reply to  SwimFan NU
2 years ago

McIntosh led off the women’s 4 x 200 meter freestyle relay for Canada at the 2022 FINA World Aquatics Championships.

Go Kamminga Go
Reply to  Weinstein-Smith-Ledecky-Sims
2 years ago

Someone didn’t read properly

Taa
2 years ago

Mcintosh with a brief stop in the 208s on her way to faster swims. I didn’t realize Hayes had such a strong swim at Worlds bodes well for her she is little more well rounded in her strokes.

Keith
Reply to  Taa
2 years ago

She also skipped over the 209s with that swim

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Sophie grew up in Boston, Massachusetts, which means yes, she does root for the Bruins, but try not to hold that against her. At 9, she joined her local club team because her best friend convinced her it would be fun. Shoulder surgery ended her competitive swimming days long ago, …

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