Blake Tierney: From Saskatoon Goldfins to Pan Pacific Glory

In a testament to the strength and depth of Canada's high-performance swimming program, former Saskatoon Goldfins swimmer Blake Tierney has earned a coveted spot on Team Canada for the 2026 Pan and Para Pan Pacific Championships. This achievement comes following his impressive performances at the 2026 Bell Canadian Swimming Trials held in July at Parc Olympique in Montreal - July 2026.

Athletes were selected to represent Canada based on their exceptional performances at these trials, reflecting their readiness to compete against the world's best. The Pan Pacific Championships will feature open water swimming on August 10, followed by long course pool competitions from August 12-15 in Irvine, California. Meanwhile, Canada's top Para swimmers will compete at the Para Pan Pacific Championships from August 28-30 in Walnut, California.

Blake Tierney, reflecting on his journey to this prestigious event, said, "I had a great time representing the Saskatoon Goldfins at the Canadian Trials in Montreal. I'm grateful to have earned the opportunity to race at Pan Pacs in Irvine. This season has come with its fair share of challenges and it has taught me a lot about resilience, patience, and growth. Excited to test myself against one of the most competitive fields in the world and see what I can do. I'd like to thank my family, as well as past and present coaching staff and teammates, who have helped me along the way."

Tierney's performance at the Canadian Trials was nothing short of remarkable, setting a total of seven long course Provincial and Goldfins Club records. Notably, he broke the Saskatchewan Open Long Course Records in both the 50M Freestyle with a time of 23.21, surpassing a record from 2019, and the 100M Freestyle with a time of 50.07, breaking a record set by former Goldfins swimmer Chad Hankewich in 2005.

In addition to these provincial records, Tierney set new Goldfins Club Open Records in the 50M Freestyle (23.21), 100M Freestyle (50.07), 50M Backstroke (25.36), 100M Backstroke (53.63), and 200M Backstroke (1:58.76). Such achievements underscore Tierney's dedication and skill, nurtured under the guidance of Coach Scott Talbot at the High Performance Centre, who will also coach at the Pan Pacific Championships.

Blake Tierney will compete in several events at the championships, promising an exciting showcase of his talents on the international stage. The schedule for this thrilling competition is available, and fans are encouraged to cheer on all Canadian swimmers by tuning into live racing at CBC Sports.

The Saskatoon Goldfins Swim Club extends its best wishes to Blake as he embarks on this exciting international competition. His journey serves as an inspiration to aspiring athletes, highlighting the diversity of experiences and abilities that define the next generation of Canadian swimmers.

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