The nine-year-old Beamsville girl was held spellbound during Phelps 8-for-8 Olympic gold medal performances. You couldn't blame her for daydreaming a little.

Just two years after starting swimming lessons, Hendriks picked up first-place honours as Regional Individual Points Champion for girls age nine and 10 last month.

The secret to her success?

"Lots of practicing," said the Grade 5 student at St. Mark Catholic Elementary School.

Her dream? The Olympics.

She says training under her swim teacher, Margaret Park, a former Olympian, is instrumental. "Without her, I wouldn't be able to swim this good," said Hendriks.

Her favourite swim is the breast stroke. But like Phelps, she is skilled at a variety of swim styles.

At the final regional meet in Niagara Falls August 23, she picked up a first in the Individual Medley (a mix of the fly, back stroke, breast stroke and front crawl), first in the Freestyle and second in the Butterfly.

In the Individual Medley, she finished a half pool length ahead of everyone else, said her dad, Fred.

She also placed seventh in a team relay.

The Lincoln Lightning star said she may join the St. Catharines Piranhas next season.