Summer McIntosh, Sam Short Dominate at Tyr Pro Series

Canadian swimmer McIntosh sets early-year 200m butterfly record, while Australian Short beats Olympic champs in 800m freestyle

Published on Mar. 6, 2026

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Canadian swimmer Summer McIntosh swam the fastest 200m butterfly time ever this early in a calendar year, clocking 2:04.72 to win at the Tyr Pro Series meet in Westmont, Illinois. Australian Sam Short also had a dominant performance, beating the last two Olympic gold medalists in the men's 800m freestyle by over 17 seconds with a time of 7:40.98.

Why it matters

McIntosh and Short's performances showcase their world-class talent and potential heading into major international competitions like the 2026 Pan Pacific Championships. McIntosh's 200m butterfly time is particularly impressive, as she continues to cement her status as one of the top swimmers in the world in that event.

The details

McIntosh's time of 2:04.72 in the 200m butterfly was over 4 seconds faster than runner-up Lindsay Looney of the U.S. It was also the fastest time ever recorded this early in a calendar year, bettering McIntosh's own previous record of 2:05.05 from 2023. In the men's 800m freestyle, Short dominated the field, beating Tokyo Olympic gold medalist Bobby Finke by 17 seconds and Paris Olympic gold medalist Daniel Wiffen of Ireland by 26 seconds with his time of 7:40.98.

  • The Tyr Pro Swim Series event took place on Thursday, March 6, 2026 in Westmont, Illinois.
  • McIntosh's previous early-year best time of 2:05.05 in the 200m butterfly was set in 2023.

The players

Summer McIntosh

A 19-year-old Canadian swimmer who is one of the top female swimmers in the world, holding the second-fastest time ever in the 200m butterfly.

Sam Short

An Australian swimmer who is the reigning World champion in the 400m freestyle and dominated the 800m freestyle at the Tyr Pro Series meet.

Lindsay Looney

An American swimmer who finished second to McIntosh in the 200m butterfly event.

Bobby Finke

The 2020 Tokyo Olympic gold medalist in the 800m freestyle.

Daniel Wiffen

The 2024 Paris Olympic gold medalist in the 800m freestyle.

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What they’re saying

“Honestly, I was hoping for a bit more than what I just went, but 200m fly is something that you'll always learn something out of swimming it.”

— Summer McIntosh (Peacock)

“Didn't expect to go 7:40, but I had no doubt Bobby was going to go sub-eight minutes, so when I saw I had that gap I thought I was on for a pretty good time.”

— Sam Short (NBC Sports)

What’s next

The Tyr Pro Swim Series event in Westmont, Illinois continues on Friday, March 7, 2026 with coverage on NBCSN and Peacock.

The takeaway

McIntosh and Short's dominant performances at the Tyr Pro Series showcase their world-class talent and potential heading into major international competitions like the 2026 Pan Pacific Championships. Their times and margin of victory over Olympic champions demonstrate their status as rising superstars in the sport of swimming.