In a year filled with new experiences, in both swimming and life , one in particular stands out for Amber McDermott.

After a disappointing ConocoPhillips U.S. National Championships in Indianapolis (which selected the World Championship team), McDermott enjoyed a successful U.S. Open in her home state of Washington, winning three events and earning a spot on her first U.S. National Team.

“The U.S. Open was definitely less stressful than World Championship Trials because I didn't feel as much pressure to make a team. It was more just me against the clock, although I still had some great competition,” said McDermott, who also won the 400 and 1,500 freestyle at U.S. Open. “It was very stressful at World Championship Trials because it was the first meet where I actually had a shot at making the team, but I don't think I had enough training under my belt at that meet. So, after a few more weeks of training, I was ready for the U.S. Open.”

McDermott has made a lot of progress since she started swimming nine years ago at age 7. She gave up gymnastics for swimming when she noticed her older sister, Courtney, was bringing home ribbons from her meets. By the time she was 9, McDermott was hooked on the sport.

Now a high school junior, she recently took a giant leap of faith in herself and her coach by following her Salmon Bay Club coach, Doug Rusk, to Austin, Texas, to train with Longhorn Aquatics, where he now coaches.

Doing that meant leaving her school, friends, family and teammates behind and starting over in an unfamiliar city. That's a lot for a 16-year-old to handle, but McDermott is taking things day by day and keeping her eyes on the bigger prize.

“The biggest adjustment for me is having to mostly take care of myself, like cook my own meals and manage my own money, but I just look at it as college a few years early,” said McDermott, whose family remained back in the Seattle area. “I actually don't mind going to a new school. I've moved multiple times before, so I know what it's like to be the new kid. This is all about continuing my training that's been working with my coach and seeing how far I can take this.”

Not only is she the new kid at school, but she's also one of the newest, and youngest, faces on the National Team.

Because of her U.S. Open performances, McDermott was invited to compete for the United States at the 2009 Mutual of Omaha Duel in the Pool in Manchester, England in December. She and her teammates will swim against a European select team made up of men and women from Great Britain, Germany and Italy, with each country sending a team of six men and six women.

Suffice it to say, despite all that has transpired in her life over the past few months, McDermott is elated to be considered among the best in the United States and world.

"I'm very excited for it (Duel) because it's my first National Team competition, and I have my own expectations to live up to," McDermott said. "I found out about it last month sometime, and I've been excited ever since. I'm not really sure what to expect, but I just hope it will be fun. I'm sure it will be."

While she may be lacking in the international competition category, McDermott isn't short on confidence. With 2012 Olympic Trials still just under three years away, she knows she has time on her side as she continues to train and drop time for a shot at the 2012 London Games.

"It's pretty far away, but I just want to keep my training up and keep improving my times so I can put myself in a good position going into the 2012 Olympic Trials," McDermott said. "This summer, my goal is to make the World Championship Team, and the rest will play out from there."