WERRIBEE Swim Club’s Paris Vasta gained selection to the Victorian Primary School Sports Association (VPSSA) state swimming team recently.

The nine-year-old finished in first place in the 50m breaststroke at the VPSSA State Championships, with her impressive performance catching the eye of the Victorian Swimming team selectors.

The Year Four Westbourne Grammar School student, who started swimming at two years old, took up the sport competitively last year.

She now trains four times a week with Werribee Sharks coach Sam Bloder who described her as “a quiet achiever who always gives 100 per cent”.

“She has always loved swimming ever since she was little she has always said that she has wanted to compete,” mum Caroline said.

“She never complains about getting up early when it’s a 5am start.”

Up on the blocks before the big race the softly spoken Hoppers Crossing resident was a little shaky and even during mid-race she admitted to being “really nervous”.

But once she touched the wall the nerves faded.

Paris said she admires the likes of Stephanie Rice, Libby Trickett and Leisel Jones because “they have really good technique.”

Her commitment to waking up for 5am training sessions, which she finds “really annoying”, is all in a bid to achieve her ultimate goal of making it to the Olympics.

Werribee Swimming Club head coach Paul Taylor praised the junior talent on the rise in Werribee.

“We have a number of exceptionally talented juniors Paris definitely being one of them,” he said.

“Sam is doing a remarkable job with these young swimmers. They are going to be exciting to watch over the next few years.”

Paris will join her Victorian team mates to train in a number of training sessions before competing in the School Sport Australia event to be held in Perth.

Paris was one of nine Sharks to swim at the VPSSA State Championships, with other members also coached by Bloder including: Ryland Brian, Connor Brian, Michael Shelev, James Tzelepis, Lachlan Faust, Madelyne Scott, Olivia Kierzak, and Ivana Ivosev.