WATCH OUT for Jordan Theaker making a splash - as the Great Harwood teenager is on his way to being a swimming sensation.

At just 14, the Norden Sports College pupil qualified for the British Swimming 2008 Olympic Trials at Sheffield this week.

Several British and European champions were competing at Ponds Forge and Jordan performed well in the 400m and 1500m Freestyle with a lifetime best in both events to cement his No 1 UK age group ranking.

It has been a stunning 2008 so far for the teenager who began his swimming career at Great Harwood Otters.

He began the year with a clean sweep winning 11 out of 11 events at the North Lancashire WSPA meeting held in Blackpool where he retained his title for the fourth consecutive year.

He then moved on to Manchester Aquatic Centre to defend his Lancashire County title which he had also held for the previous three years.

A clutch of gold and silver medals saw him finish top by a considerable margin, but more importantly the times he posted in the 400m and 1500m Freestyle earned him the right to compete in the Beijing 2008 Olympic Trials.

There he got to see first hand the results of years of dedication that it takes to make it all the way to the top - and he aims to be there at some stage.

Jordan, who trains with the current national age group champions Gallica, is coached by former Olympic swimmer Rob Greenwood and trains around 16 hours per week.

He is on his way to the pool as early as 4:15am ready for a 5am start four mornings a week.

On top of that, there are evening sessions as far away as Preston, Lancaster, Blackpool and Manchester to attend which all adds up to travelling nearly 400 miles every week.

But the hard work is paying off.

Jordan has earned a place on the prestigious British Talent Development Program which identifies future Commonwealth and Olympic podium hopefuls.

And Jordan’s parent Martin and Denise are grateful to Norden for helping their son develop his talent.

"Without their continued help, he would have been unable to compete last week," said Martin.

"The school has been exceptional in backing Jordan and we thank them for the first class advice and support they are giving him; fitting in his training schedule and swimming program with his education."

Jordan isn’t the only swimming star.

Alongside him at the Olympic trials was Accrington’s Robert Harrison, 16, who is also a Gallica swimmer.

He swam in the 400m freestyle and also began at Great Harwood Otters learning to swim in the clubs junior swimming programs.

Craig Lord, coach at the Otters, said: "Having both Robert and Jordan competing at the Olympic trials is a feather in the cap for a club the size of Great Harwood.

"Everyone connected with these two swimmers are proud of their progress and we hope they have continued success."