Summer McIntosh wins 3rd straight race, lowers Pro Swim Series record in 200m IM

Summer McIntosh scorched the pool in Knoxville, Tenn., for a third consecutive night on Saturday, leading to a third consecutive victory at the Pro Swim Series.

The Canadian swimming sensation posted the fastest 200-metre individual medley time, stopping the clock in a time of two minutes 7.16 seconds. Her time is a new Pro Swim Series record.

That put a bow on yet another successful meet for the 17-year-old phenom who has continually excelled and put forward consistent swimming as the Paris Olympics comes into focus.

McIntosh led for much of the race but found herself in second place behind American Alex Walsh as they made the final turn and headed into the closing 50 metres. In the final freestyle metres the Canadian was able to find an extra gear and touched the wall first ahead of Walsh. 

She has been called a generational talent. 

McIntosh is the world junior record holder in this event, having posted a 2:06.89 last March at the Canadian swimming trials. That's the fourth-fastest time ever in the event. She was only 0.27 off of that time in January, which bodes well for the Olympics. 

WATCH l McIntosh sets Canadian, world junior record in 200m IM at 2023 national trials:

It appeared earlier in the week there would be a showdown between McIntosh and two of the top racers in the 200m individual medley.

Americans Kate Douglass and Alex Walsh finished first and second, respectively, in the event at the world championships in Fukuoka, Japan this past summer. McIntosh did not race in the event. 

However, Douglass elected to swim a time trial on Friday and did not race in Saturday's final. Douglass stopped the clock in an impressive 2:07.89 in that time trial.

The move paid off. Douglass did compete in the 200m