Jacinta Essam and Abbey Webb's friendship stretches back to when they were nine years old, and now the duo have been named alongside each other in Swimming Australia's national development squad.
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The team of 38 was announced on Thursday by former Olympic gold medallist Duncan Armstrong and Olympian Meagen Nay, with the two teens set to link up with the rest of their team members for the first camp in early January on the Gold Coast.
It's a significant moment for the two youngsters, who first trained together a decade ago at the Tuggeranong Vikings Swim Club.
While humbled to be recognised as part of Australia's next wave of talent, Essam said being named alongside Webb made it sweeter.
"It is really good to get recognition and to be named alongside Abbey, it has made it even better," Essam said.
"We have trained together at Vikings, then made the move to Ginninderra together and we were also lucky enough to tour America in 2018 as part of the Australian youth team.
"It's fantastic to be in another squad alongside each other."
The pair have also been training under the guidance of six-time Olympic gold coach Shannon Rollason. Webb hoped the program would develop her further.
"It is really good for transition [to open-age swimming] and I think Swimming Australia is really trying to put in place some good programs," Webb said.
"It is my goal to become a part of the Australian Dolphins team."
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The program has a history of success, as 32 swimmers since 2014 have made the Dolphins team after taking part in the development squad.
"It definitely brings me great confidence that it is a good program and it should have promising outcomes for me," Essam said.
Essam is studying a Bachelor of Health Science at the ANU while COVID-19 has forced Webb home from the USA where she is studying biomedical science at Auburn University.
