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Somerset West's sensational swimming star, Jessica Pengelly (16), not only walked away from the Samsung Grand Prix swimming series held at the University of the Western Cape ( last weekend) as the best female swimmer, but has now also qualified for the Olympic Games four times. Swimming world class times at the Grand Prix helped Jessica move up the world rankings to fifth best female swimmer in the world.

Among the records she set at the Samsung series was 2:16;41 for the 200 metres Individual Medley (IM) and an incredible 4:4;94 for the 400 metres individual medley - almost four seconds faster than the required Olympic qualification time of 4:45;08.

Although Jess' time for the 200 m IM was not an Olympic qualifying time (2:15;27) she was still thrilled as she did not expect to break a record as she is still training hard and not near her peak yet, her mother Julia told the DistrictMail on Wednesday.

After winning the 200m IM she won the 200 m backstroke (2:15:59), was third in the 100 m freestyle and fourth in the 50 m freestyle. Despite her phenomenal success at the Grand Prix series, which earned her R10 000, she will have to again set Olympic qualifying times at the SA Senior National Championships to be held at the Kingsmead Pool in Durban from April 1 to 6.

Jessica's mother, Julia, is however confident that her modest and totally focused daughter will be able to do this.

"Unless she gets sick or something goes terribly wrong I don't see why Jessica should not qualify," she said.

Jessica, a grade 10 learner at Somerset College, will also be swimming in the Age Group Champs in East London from March 9.

"Jess is very relaxed about swimming in the Age Group Championships as there is no pressure on her here and she will also use the event as a warm up for the Senior Nationals and Olympic trials in Durban."

"Anyone wanting to swim for SA in the Olympics in China will have to swim at the Senior Nationals, so it will be a high profile event with all the best swimmers in SA there," her mother said.

Jessica will also hope to qualify for the Olympics in the 200 metres Backstroke as well as the 400 and 200 m IM and is very optimistic about her chances at the SA Seniors.

After the SA Senior Nationals she will be flying to England to compete in the World Short Course Championships in Manchester on April 13.

She is currently in the SA Olympic squad and trains hard with her coach Santa van Jaarsveld, of the Maties/Strand Swimming Club. Santa is also very happy with the young star and pleased with her hard work, focus and dedication.

Jessica trains twice a day every day except for Wednesdays and Saturdays when she trains once a day.

"Having broken records at last weekend without really trying to and not even being at her peak I'm sure she'll do well at the Nationals," her mother said.

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