In the case of Annette Petersen, developing a sense of added self assurance took her a long way in the swimming pool this year.

Recently, the 14-year-old Thornhill resident and former Markham Synchro Club member achieved two personal milestones.

In early April, Petersen was selected to the provincial junior synchro team that will compete at the 2007 Canada Winter Games in Whitehorse. As one of 12 members that comprise the team, Petersen will be a first-time performer.

If that wasn't enough, she made her debut at the Canadian Espoir Championships in Etobicoke earlier this month and earned a top-10 placing in the 13-15 national team trials. With that effort, Petersen gained a berth on this 10-member unit for the first time.

Needless to say, Petersen is pretty excited about making both teams. At the same time, she fulfilled a personal goal for this year.

"Making both teams is definitely a goal of mine and I wanted it to be a highlight of my year," she said.

Petersen's entry onto the junior provincial team took place following three phases of trials in Etobicoke. A total of 18 swimmers had been vying for a spot on the team during the third phase. But in the end, 12 were chosen.

For the 13-15 national team, 188 candidates were scrutinized over a two-day period before the number was pared down to 25 for the second day. From there, the top 10 were picked.

During the national trials, Petersen felt she could make the top 10. Helping her, she said, was the confidence developed over the course of the season as a first-year performer with the Olympium Synchro Team.

"Over the course of the year my confidence began to build up. I felt more relaxed and good because our team was doing well going into any competition that we entered," she said.

First taking to the water as a two-year old, Petersen's introduction to synchronized swimming was initiated at 10 years old through her cousin Victoria Lee, a current member of the provincial senior team.

"Victoria suggested I try it and because I started swimming lessons when I was young I was used to the water and I really liked synchro right away," Petersen recalled.

A member of the Markham Synchro Club since she was 10, Petersen elected to move to the Etobicoke-based Olympium Synchro Club earlier this year as a means of seeing how far she could measure up against rivals from other parts of Canada.

In her time spent with the Olympium Synchro Club, Petersen noted a vast difference from what she was accustomed to in Markham.

TAKING A SERIOUS APPROACH

"With Olympium the training is definitely harder. It pushes me more," she said.

Petersen also made her international competitive debut with the Olympium club in Lima, Peru. Competing against teams from the United States and South America, the Olympium team finished first. Petersen was also first in technical figures.

Crediting several people in her success, including Olympium coaches' Kerri Morgan and Kelly Hogan along with her parents Sally and Perry Petersen and Gail Wimmer, a former Markham Synchro Club coach who suggested she go to the Olympium club, Petersen hopes her recent feats are just the start to some bigger things.

"I'll see how it goes. I hope to make more national teams and just try to improve as I go along," she said.

A Grade 9 student at Silverthorne Collegiate, Petersen remains loyal to the Markham Synchro Club as she assists Lee in coaching the recreational program club when she's not working out with the Olympium Synchro Club.

Petersen's summer agenda will be busy this summer as the junior provincial team will be going to San Jose, Calif. in early July to train and compete in the Santa Clara Aquamaids event. She will then go to Montreal later that month to train with the 13-15 national team before entering a competition in Mexico.