The very nature of competitive swimming forces young athletes like Veronica Reid to grow up fast.

Reid, a Grade 9 student at Quamichan middle school who just turned 14 on Dec. 18, is the youngest member of the 2006 top 10 list. She’s already competing well beyond her years.

The Duncan Stingrays’ sensation proved she’s not the least bit intimidated and able to keep pace with much older swimmers during the senior circuit meet at the Saanich Commonwealth Pool.

Many young swimmers might have been overwhelmed by the pressure of facing elite 15 and older and top university level athletes, but not Reid.

“I didn’t really mind it that much,’’ she said.

Reid blocked out the competition and set reasonable goals for herself while using the results to make improvements in practice.

Reid made her second trip to the age group nationals this year. She followed her experiences in Winnipeg during 2005 with more poise and confidence in Calgary.

“It was a lot easier being there for a second time,’’ Reid said.

She has already qualified for the Western nationals in February in Regina and will make a third straight trip to age group nationals next July in Montreal. The senior nationals, open to all ages, at Calgary is a realistic goal for next year when Reid would again face the fastest Canadian swimmers — national team members, Olympians and Commonwealth Games medalists.

Reid qualified for her first nationals at the age of 12, placing sixth in her age group for the 50-metre breaststroke and 13th for the 100 breast in the country.

The 50 breast (34.84 seconds) and 50 free (27.61) are her strongest events.

“My (long) distance isn’t nearly as strong as my shorter distances right now,’’ Reid said.

Training with the Stingrays takes up inordinate amounts of time. Reid is sometimes in the pool twice a day and up to eight times a week.

She has incredible will power and is driven to succeed.

“I guess if you’re trying to go for a time and you get it, you feel really happy,’’ Reid said.

One day she’d love to be in the top 10 in the world for swimming. The way she’s going with such a strong early start, that’s certainly within the realm of possibility.