Taylor Ruck continues strong run at Canadian swim trials with fourth title

Taylor Ruck reacts following women's 100m backstroke final at the Canadian Swimming Trials in Montreal, on Sunday, July 5, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes

MONTREAL — Taylor Ruck won her fourth title in as many races in emerging victorious in the women’s 50-metre freestyle event at the Canadian swimming trials on Wednesday.

The Kelowna, B.C., native finished with a winning time of 24.68 seconds.

Ruck, a four-time Olympic medallist, joined star Summer McIntosh as just the second Canadian athlete ever to win three national titles in three different strokes at the same trials, having previously triumphed in the 100 freestyle, 100 backstroke and 100 butterfly.

“It feels great. Day 4, so definitely was feeling a little bit tired after last night,” said the 26-year-old national team veteran. “But the 50 free is one of my favourite events so it got me pumped to come in today and have fun with it.

“It definitely gives me confidence for what’s ahead this summer. Our main chunk of work was before this, Trials, so I’m just looking forward to seeing what that means going into training for the rest of the summer, and just keep having fun with it.”

Leilani Fack of Surrey, B.C., took silver with a time of 25.26, while Quebec City’s Sarah Fournier rounded out the podium in 25.28.

Meanwhile, Oliver Dawson moved one step closer to sweeping the men’s breaststroke events.

The 18-year-old from Grande Prairie, Alta., won the 200 final in two minutes 9.50 seconds. He also triumphed in Tuesday’s 50-metre race, with the 100 final going on Thursday.

“I’m two for two,” Dawson said. “The strategy was to go all out in the first 100 and show people my heels. It means a lot because it was my third time winning it.”

Dawson, who owns the Canadian record in both the 50 and 100, was on pace to challenge the 200 standard at the midway mark of Wednesday`s race, clocking a split time of 1:02.19 – matching Mike Brown’s midway time in the 2008 Olympic final when he set the national mark of 2:08.84.

“Trials to me used to be this nerve-racking event. It was ‘Oh my God! The top of the top,’” Dawson said. “This year, with Pan (Pacific swimming championship), it’s a more open team to make. It takes off some of the stress. I`m hoping for the three-peat.”

Apollo Hess of Lethbridge, Alta., finished second in a time of 2:11.40, while Nathan Thomas of Pointe-Claire, Que., grabbed bronze at 2:12.12.

In other finals, Ella Jensen of Burlington, Ont., won the women’s 200 individual medley (2:12.28); Finlay Knox of Okotoks, Alta., won the men’s 200 IM (1:57.80); Calgary’s Yuri Kisil was victorious in the men’s 50 freestyle (22.31); and fellow Calgarian Alexanne Lepage prevailed in the women’s 200 breaststroke (2:23.03).

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 8, 2026.

The Canadian Press