It was a challenging year in the pool for Duncan synchronized swimmer Jessica de Verteuil, but it ended in the best way possible.
After battling through severe pain in her knee all season, de Verteuil finished things up at the provincial championships in Kamloops last month by taking first out of 37 swimmers in individual figures, first with her partner Kaia Fuchs out of nine pairs in duets, and second with the rest of the Nanaimo Diamonds out of eight entries in the team competition. The Diamonds also won the team championship based on the average of their individual figures marks added to their team score.
Anyone who has seen synchronized swimming will know that it can’t be done without bending one’s knees, something that is constantly painful for de Verteuil. She will grow out of that issue, her mother Jen says, but for the time being, it’s something she has to endure, even if it means skipping every other physical activity, including gym class.
“She saves herself,” Jen explains. “She puts everything she has into swimming.”
Jessica says it’s worth it.
“Because I love it,” she relates. “I feel free in the water, and I like having people around me supporting me.”
She still feels that support when competing as an individual.
“Everyone is still there around you,” she says. “You’re practicing with the team and competing in a way that’s not mean. It’s a friendly competition.”
As part of that friendly competition, de Verteuil beat her duet partner, Fuchs, by one third of a point in the individual competition ad provincials, after Fuchs had edged de Verteuil for first place at regionals.
Swimming is a huge commitment for both girls. While de Verteuil travels from Duncan, Fuchs comes from Nanoose Bay to practice in Nanaimo. That meant sleeping over at their coach’s house once a week in order to make 6 a.m. practices.
As part of her dream of reaching the Olympics, de Verteuil has been invited to join the national stream team that competes out of Victoria, which might mean giving up her longtime duet partner. De Verteuil will start training with the Victoria club in August for six hours a day, five days a week to determine which team she will be selected for.
Knowing the chance to join the national stream might be coming, de Verteuil was eager for the opportunity as she reflected on the recent season.
“I’m excited,” she said. “I wanted to go to nationals this year, but I started training too late in the season to get anywhere.”