The 2026 Pro Swim Series kicked off with an exciting second day of competition at the FMC Aquatic Center in Westmont, Illinois. The meet, which runs from March 4 to March 7, 2026, is a long-course meters (50 meters) event. The highlight of the day was undoubtedly Sam Short's stunning performance in the 800 freestyle, where he shattered the Pro Swim Series record with a time of 7:40.98. This achievement is all the more remarkable considering the presence of the American, Bobby Finke, who finished second with a time of 7:58.35. Short's performance was a testament to his prowess in the pool, and it was a pleasure to witness such a dominant display of swimming talent.
In the women's events, Summer McIntosh continued her impressive form, winning the 200 butterfly with a time of 2:04.72, which is a Pro Swim Series record. This performance further cements her status as one of the rising stars in the sport. The 50-meter backstroke saw a close contest between Katherine Berkoff and Isabelle Stadden, with Berkoff claiming victory in a time of 27.24, just 0.05 seconds ahead of Stadden.
The men's 200 fly was won by Gabriel Jett, who finished in a time of 1:55.07. This was followed by Trenton Julian in second place with a time of 1:58.07. The women's 400 individual medley was a close race, with Regan Smith taking the gold medal in a time of 4:35.74. The men's 400 IM was won by Carson Foster, who finished in a time of 4:09.49, a performance that was both impressive and consistent.
The 100-meter freestyle saw a strong showing from Kate Douglass, who finished in a time of 53.45, just 0.01 seconds ahead of Ryle Erisman. The men's 100 free was won by Chris Guiliano, who finished in a time of 47.84, a performance that was both swift and controlled. Overall, the second day of the 2026 Pro Swim Series was a showcase of the talent and determination of the athletes, and it was a pleasure to witness such a high-quality competition.
