​Mighty Barracuda Olympic Trials Spotlight: Julie Brousseau

Mighty Barracuda Olympic Trials Spotlight: Julie Brousseau
Saturday, May 4, 2024

Swimmer: Julie Brousseau
Age:18
Current Grade: 12
School: Nepean High School
Plans for Next Year: Attending University of Florida

Years Swimming:  9 years total, 4 years as a Mighty Barracuda!
Events at Olympic Trials: Look for Julie to be competing in the FR and IM events, however, she is qualified for Trials in EVERY single event

Pre-Race Routine: Stretching behind the blocks
Best Pump Up Plan: Play a Taylor Swift Playlist (or make a Taylor Swift bet with Coach Scott!)
Favourite Food: Caesar salads, pasta, and Gogo squeezes
What she does when a race doesn’t go as planned:  Remembers all the practices she’s put in to address what went wrong and move forward

If she could give advice to his 10 year old self, what would it be? Keep working hard

Julie Brousseau is more than just a swimmer; she is a testament to the power of what you can achieve when you set your mind to it.  From the moment she dipped her toes into the pool, she knew she was destined to make waves.  

Swimming isn’t just a sport for Julie, it’s a family affair. Inspired by her older sister to start swimming, she took to the water like a fish and trains tirelessly alongside her twin sister, Merielle. Her swim family extends beyond blood ties, however, as her teammates have become her second family where camaraderie flows freely.  As you will see in the paragraphs ahead, Julie has an aquatic journey full of adventures and incredible accomplishments, but when asked what she loves most about swimming she stated ever so simply that it is being on relays with her friends. The Mighty Barracudas bring a sense of team spirit that electrifies the pool deck, infusing every race with energy and excitement, and it is this energy (especially at finals!) that keeps Julie motivated race after race.  

Julie’s journey has been marked by many milestones. For her, the first of these was when she earned her spot on Team Ontario at the 2022 Canada Games. Tying the record for the most medals was more than just a triumph.  It was a catalyst for greater ambitions. It fueled her desire to qualify for more events and to push herself to be better.  

Julie embodies the ethos of NKB programming—a versatile athlete dedicated to mastering all strokes and distances. It is because of this she has been able to turn that desire into action.  From a young age, she showed promise, making her first Trials qualifying time at just 13. Now, as she gears up for her second Olympic Trials, she is qualified and could swim every single event slated to be competed.  Her primary focus, however, will be on the 200/400m freestyle and the 200/400m individual medleys.  

Her continued accolades speak volumes about her focus on all-around development. She has progressed from a two-time provincial record holder to a multi-medalist at domestic national events to a contender on the international stage. She made her international debut at the 2022 Junior Pan Pacific Games and a year later she made herself a household name at the 2023 World Juniors, where she emerged as the most decorated Canadian with six medals. She doubled down on her dominance by earning double gold at the 2023 Pan American Games, where she dominated the 400m individual medley.

The words of Julie’s parents are a testament to Julie's dedication and tenacity. "We are so proud of Julie and her accomplishments. She has worked very hard the last few years to reach her goals. Watching her represent Canada has been a special experience, and we are so happy she gets to be a part of this great program in Ottawa."  Mom and dad, we’re with you!  She is a role model to the Barracudas, and we are very proud to be cheering her along on this journey.  Amidst the accolades and triumphs Julie remains grounded. She knows her journey is far from over. With every stroke, she is striving to dig a little deeper, pull a little stronger, be a little better, swim a little faster. She has captivated us because she has dared to dream the Olympic dream and is willing to put in the work, one stroke at a time, that moves dreams to reality. 

Julie, we know you’re not done making waves and can’t wait to see just how big those waves will be! 





Stay tuned to your email for daily stories of our athletes as we approach the 2024 Bell Canadian Olympic Trials, or visit the News section of the  NKB Swimming website for current and past stories.