The Pan Pacific Championships in Irvine, Calif., showcased contrasting results for Canadian swimmers Taylor Ruck and Summer McIntosh on Friday evening.
Ruck secured a silver medal in the women’s 100m butterfly event and later clinched a bronze as part of the women’s 4x100m freestyle relay team, marking her fourth and fifth medals at the competition. The 26-year-old from Kelowna, B.C., achieved a personal best time of 56.71 seconds in the 100m butterfly, finishing behind American Gretchen Walsh, who clocked in at 55.15. Australian Alexandria Perkins secured the bronze with a time of 56.75.
Ruck expressed her satisfaction with her performance, mentioning her well-rested state and trust in her body’s abilities to deliver. She had earlier claimed bronze in the 100m backstroke and the women’s 4x100m medley relay.
Conversely, McIntosh faced disappointment after missing out on the A final of the women’s 400m freestyle despite winning the B final. The 19-year-old from Toronto took full responsibility for the error, acknowledging her misjudgment in the morning heats and expressing frustration with her performance.
In the men’s events, Canadians Blake Tierney and Ethan Ekk secured silver and bronze, respectively, in the men’s 200m backstroke. Tierney won the men’s 100m backstroke earlier in the competition, marking his first international gold medal.
Ruck guided Canada to a bronze medal in the 4x100m freestyle relay, alongside teammates Mary-Sophie Harvey, Leah Tigert, and Leilani Fack. The U.S. women’s team claimed gold in the event.
In the men’s 4x100m freestyle relay, the Canadian team narrowly missed the podium, finishing fourth. The U.S. secured gold, followed by Australia and Japan.
