Sydney Pickrem Back to Elite Form, Balancing Texas A&M and Canadian Training

Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick

Sydney Pickrem Back to Elite Form, Balancing Texas A&M and Canadian Training

Sydney Pickrem wasn’t happy in the sport of swimming

After finishing her college career and turning professional, the COVID-19 pandemic was tough and Pickrem was looking for answers. She loved training with the Canadian national team but also missed Texas A&M and coach Steve Bultman.

Following the shutdown, Pickrem was able to put both together and find that passion again. She is training in College Station, Texas, but also has regular check-ins with the Canadian team.

“I feel like I am on the best path I have ever really felt. I have happiness personally, happiness mentally, happiness training,” Pickrem said. “To be back working back at Texas A&M and still working with my Centre in Toronto – having those two align has been amazing.”

And it is showing in the water.

Pickrem won the 400 IM at the 2022 FINA World Cup Indianapolis stop and has been swimming extremely well. She held off Katie Grimes, who was having a sensational meet, to earn that 400 IM title.

“I knew where I was going to have to be. That is the beauty of the IM. Everyone has their strengths and you just have to stay in your own race,” Pickrem said. To be next to people like that just pushes me to be better each day.”

Those races were what Pickrem was hoping to get out of the World Cup series. She got to swim in front of her home Canadian crowd in Toronto and kept getting faster.

“I am pretty happy with the World Cup. I had no times in mind or places in mind. I came in without any expectations. I just wanted to execute my races and get in the swing of things racing. There are a lot of things to work on still, which is a good thing to bring home,” Pickrem said.

Pickrem is focused on the Paris 2024 Olympics, but that focus is as a 25-year-old pro this time around. That experience and knowledge has helped her remain a fixture on the Canadian National Team.

“Heading toward 2024, that will be my 10th year on the national team, which … I am only 25, so that feels a bit weird,” Pickrem said. “I might be older, but I am not old in terms of swimming – of course now there are 14 year olds breaking records. But I still have a while left.”

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Wade James

1 year ago

She is amazing !