A Livingston teenager is set for the ‘opportunity of a lifetime’ after being selected to represent Scotland at the Commonwealth Youth Games.
Triathlete Jessica Heeps (17) was named to the squad which will be taking place in Trinidad and Tobago next month.
The teenage ace will be competing in both the individual event for Team Scotland as well as the mixed competition with triathlon making its debut in the Commonwealth Youth Games this year.
Predominantly from a swimming background, Jessica is a member of Fauldhouse Penguins as well as Lothian Running Club and latterly West Lothian Clarion and West Lothian Triathlon, who have all helped build the youngster into a triathlete.
Scot Cycles have also played their part in offering advice and tips with the teenager only new to cycling, which has boosted her confidence.
Speaking to the Courier, she admitted she was delighted to have received the call and is hoping to making the most of the opportunity.
She said: “This is by far the biggest competition I’ll have been part of and I’m really excited to have qualified.
“I was delighted with my performances in the British Super Series events which were part of the qualifying process. It was tough competition and I’m happy to have done so well and been able to get a place on the team.”
Jessica, who has been swimming since the age of seven, admitted she’s making the most of the recent hot weather in West Lothian to try and acclimatise as well as possible.
She added: “Swimming is definitely my strongest of the three, I grew up as a swimmer and only really started transitioning to triathlons in the last year - that’s when I took up cycling.
“There’s a bit more time to get training in and make improvements. I’ve been going out for runs in the heat to try and get used to it - although I did get burned on one!
“I’m not really going over there with any expectations as such. I just want to enjoy it, work hard and feel like I’ve done my best on the day and see what happens.
“It’s the opportunity of a lifetime and I want to make the most of it when I’m there. I’m getting to compete for Scotland - it’s an amazing feeling.”
Don't miss the latest news from the West Lothian Courier. Sign up to our free newsletter here
