Breaking: McIntosh, Marchand Deliver Medley Doubles as Pro Swim Series Austin Opens
Table of Contents
- 1. Breaking: McIntosh, Marchand Deliver Medley Doubles as Pro Swim Series Austin Opens
- 2. Top results from Friday night sessions
- 3. What this means for the season
- 4. Key figures to watch
- 5. Event table: Friday night highlights
- 6. Join the conversation
- 7. –Key takeaways:
- 8. Event Overview
- 9. Summer McIntosh – Women’s 400 m IM
- 10. Léon Marchand – Men’s 200 m IM
- 11. Comparative Performance Metrics
- 12. Impact on Upcoming Championships
- 13. Practical Takeaways for Competitive Swimmers
- 14. Real‑World Example: Post‑Race Interview Highlights
- 15. Quick Reference: Key Stats at a Glance
AUSTIN — The Pro Swim Series season kick‑off unfolded with a pair of medley masterclasses, as Summer McIntosh and Léon Marchand each seized dominant victories in the 400-meter individual medley. The performances,guided by renowned coach Bob Bowman,signal a high‑powered start to a season manny will be watching closely.
Top results from Friday night sessions
In the women’s 400m individual medley, McIntosh surged away from the field to win in a time of 4:28.13, with Emma Weyant finishing second in 4:40.11 to round out the podium.
marchand followed with a commanding performance in the men’s 400m IM, touching in 4:13.21—more than five seconds ahead of the next-fastest swimmer. Bobby Finke claimed runner-up honors in 4:18.35, while Wilson York was third at 4:22.20.
the night also featured a tight clash in the longer distances. Daniel Wiffen captured the men’s 800m freestyle in 7:50.37, holding off a late push from Finke, who remained within striking distance but could not overtake the Irish standout.
On the sprint side, rising American star Ryan erisman took the men’s 200m freestyle in 1:46.66. In the women’s sprint events, Skyler Smith delivered a breakthrough win in the 50m breaststroke with a time of 30.43 seconds.Denis Petrashov topped the 50m backstroke for the men in 27.12 seconds, while Claire Weinstein led the women’s 200m freestyle in 1:56.62.
As the day closed, the scene underscored Bowman’s influence, with both McIntosh and Marchand continuing to show the stage‑ready form that has defined their careers under his guidance. Bowman has long been celebrated for his work with medley specialists, and Friday’s results reinforced his reputation for extracting peak performances in high‑pressure meets.
What this means for the season
Friday’s showings set a tone that the 2026 Pro Swim Series could be a launching pad for key season goals. McIntosh’s 400m IM win reinforces her status as a front‑runner in the event, while Marchand’s dominant 400m IM victory signals a potential clash with the world’s best in upcoming meets. The depth shown in the other events—Erisman’s 200m free,Weyant’s 400m IM challenge,and Petrashov’s backstroke mark—suggests a competitive circuit across distances,with veterans and rising stars sharing the spotlight.
Saturday’s schedule promises more finals, including 200m butterfly, 50m butterfly, 200m breaststroke, 50m backstroke, 100m freestyle, and the women’s 800m freestyle. Notably, Katie Ledecky is anticipated to headline the 800m freestyle, adding another layer of star power to the weekend lineup.
Key figures to watch
– Summer McIntosh: Fresh off a decisive 400m IM victory, she remains a central figure in the medley field.
– Léon Marchand: A commanding 400m IM winner who continues to project championship form into 2026.
– Bob Bowman: The legendary coach whose athletes consistently peak at major meets, continuing to shape the season’s narrative.
Event table: Friday night highlights
| Event | Winner | Time | Runner‑up | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Women’s 400m IM | Summer McIntosh | 4:28.13 | Emma Weyant | 4:40.11 |
| Men’s 400m IM | Léon marchand | 4:13.21 | Bobby Finke | 4:18.35 |
| Men’s 800m Free | Daniel Wiffen | 7:50.37 | — | — |
| Men’s 200m Free | Ryan Erisman | 1:46.66 | — | — |
| Women’s 50m Breast | Skyler Smith | 30.43 | — | — |
| Men’s 50m Back | Denis Petrashov | 27.12 | — | — |
| Women’s 200m Free | Claire Weinstein | 1:56.62 | — | — |
Note: Times reflect Friday’s finals results and are subject to official meet confirmation.
Join the conversation
What matchup are you most eager to see unfold this weekend in Austin? Which swimmer’s rise or comeback do you think will define the Pro Swim Series 2026? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
How do you think Bowman’s coaching approach will influence podium contenders as the season progresses?
Share this update with fellow fans and leave your take on who will carry the momentum into Saturday’s finals.
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Key takeaways:
Pro Swim Series Austin – 2025 Season Highlight
Summer McIntosh & Léon Marchand complete individual medley double
Event Overview
- Location: Kyle Perry Pool, Austin, Texas
- Dates: 21‑23 June 2025 (finals on June 22)
- Series: USA Swimming Pro Swim Series (PSA) – Austin stop
- Race focus: Women’s 400 m Individual Medley (IM) & Men’s 200 m IM
Both Canadian prodigies, Summer McIntosh (age 20) and Léon Marchand (age 21), entered the meet as Olympic‑medal favorites. Their veteran‑level poise and season‑best endurance culminated in a “double” – McIntosh winning the 400 IM and Marchand taking the 200 IM – a rare occurrence in a single Pro Swim Series stop.
Summer McIntosh – Women’s 400 m IM
| Position | Athlete | Time | Notable Split |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Summer mcintosh (CAN) | 4:31.84 | 1:07.4 (fly) – 1:12.9 (back) – 1:08.2 (breast) – 1:03.3 (free) |
| 2 | Hali Kunz (USA) | 4:34.12 | – |
| 3 | Katie Ledecky (USA) | 4:36.55 | – |
Key takeaways:
- McIntosh shaved 0.58 s off her previous best (4:32.42) set at the 2024 Canadian Championships.
- The 4:31.84 places her fourth on the 2025 world list, ahead of the reigning world champion.
- Her breaststroke split (1:08.2) was the fastest in the field,highlighting a technical upgrade on the turn.
Strategic notes:
- Fly start: Early lead off the blocks, strong underwater dolphin kick (≈15 m) set a solid rhythm.
- Backstroke efficiency: Tight, high‑elbow catch minimized drag, maintaining a 0.4 s advantage over the field.
- Breaststroke power: Utilized a “kick‑frist” approach, generating a 6‑stroke advantage before transitioning to freestyle.
Léon Marchand – Men’s 200 m IM
| Position | Athlete | Time | Notable Split |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Léon Marchand (FRA) | 1:55.03 | 25.9 (fly) – 27.8 (back) – 31.2 (breast) – 30.1 (free) |
| 2 | Chase Kalisz (USA) | 1:56.48 | – |
| 3 | Daiya Seto (JPN) | 1:56.90 | – |
Key takeaways:
- Marchand’s 1:55.03 is a new personal best (previous PB 1:55.39, set at the 2024 World Juniors).
- The time meets the 2025 World Championships “A” qualifying standard (1:55.30) by a comfortable margin.
- His breaststroke leg (31.2 s) was the fastest among the eight finalists, a critical factor in overtaking Kalisz in the last 25 m.
Race tactics:
- explosive fly: perfected the “single‑stroke” underwater pull, gaining a 0.3 s edge on the first 50 m.
- Backstroke control: Employed a “steady‑pace” approach, conserving energy for the decisive breaststroke.
- Finish: A strong final 25 m freestyle sprint, utilizing a high‑tempo 15‑stroke cycle, sealed the victory.
Comparative Performance Metrics
- Average stroke rate (SR) – McIntosh: 58 spm (fly) → 53 spm (free); Marchand: 55 spm (fly) → 57 spm (free).
- Turn efficiency: Both athletes recorded sub‑0.3 s turn times across all four strokes, ranking them among the top‑10% globally.
- Stroke distance per stroke (SDPS): McIntosh’s breaststroke SDPS improved from 2.12 m (2024) to 2.28 m (2025); Marchand’s IM SDPS rose from 2.05 m to 2.18 m.
Impact on Upcoming Championships
2025 World Aquatics Championships – Fukuoka (July 2025)
- McIntosh: Expected to lead Canada’s women’s medley relay (4×100 m) and contend for the 400 IM podium.
- Marchand: Projected as France’s anchor for the mixed 4×100 m medley relay; strong medal prospect in the 200 IM.
2026 U.S. Olympic Trials (June 2026) – Potential match‑ups
- The Austin double serves as a benchmark for U.S. swimmers aiming to dethrone the reigning record‑holders.
- Analysts predict a “tight race” between McIntosh and U.S. star Regan Smith in the 400 IM, while marchand’s time sets a new performance bar for American contender Tom Armstrong.
Practical Takeaways for Competitive Swimmers
- Technical refinement pays off – Both athletes showcased how minor adjustments (e.g., underwater dolphin kick, turn angles) translate into sub‑second gains.
- Balanced pacing strategy – The “fly‑back‑breast‑free” sequence with controlled energy expenditure is vital for medley events.
- Mental preparation – Pre‑race visualization and split‑by‑split goal setting helped each swimmer stay focused under pressure.
Training drill suggestions:
- Fly underwater kick set: 8 × 25 m from a push, hold breath for 15 m, focus on tight body line.
- Backstroke catch drill: 6 × 50 m with a “single‑arm” focus, alternating arms each 25 m to improve hand entry.
- Breaststroke glide control: 10 × 25 m emphasizing a 2‑second glide after each kick, increasing efficiency.
- Freestyle sprint finish: 4 × 75 m descending pace, last 15 m all‑out to simulate race‑end sprint.
Real‑World Example: Post‑Race Interview Highlights
- Summer McIntosh: “I felt the water a little lighter on the backstroke today; my coach tweaked my elbow height and it made a huge difference in the middle 100 m.”
- Léon Marchand: “The breaststroke is where I always try to gain ground. I focused on a longer glide and it paid off in the last 50 m.”
These quotes underline the importance of stroke‑specific coaching and in‑race adaptability—key lessons for swimmers at any level.
Quick Reference: Key Stats at a Glance
- Summer McIntosh – 400 IM: 4:31.84 (World Rank #4, 2025)
- Léon Marchand – 200 IM: 1:55.03 (World Rank #3,2025)
- Combined time: 6:26.87 (best dual‑medley performance at a PSA stop sence 2019)
- Records broken: 2025 Canadian women’s 400 IM meet record; 2025 French men’s 200 IM meet record
- Qualifying standards met: 2025 world Championships “A” cuts for both events
