Allysa Vavra has enjoyed an incredible year in the pool.

She has earned awards, accolades and headlines at some of the nation's premier swim meets.But to Vavra, the gold medals, championship ring and national media attention pale in comparison to one item she recently received.After an amazing display of talent, versatility and endurance at the USA National Swim Championships this summer at Stanford University, Vavra was selected to be part of the United States team for the Pan American Games.Just last week, Vavra and other team members received their official Pan Am Games wardrobe. Included among the shirts, shorts and pants the athletes will wear this month in Guadalajara, Mexico was something that Vavra couldn't wait to see."The most amazing feeling in the world was seeing my swim cap with the American flag and my name on it," said Vavra. "All the medals and awards that I received this season were great. But there is nothing that can compare to representing your country."I think almost every young athlete dreams of one day competing for their country. To get the chance to do it is the greatest feeling. I was just so proud and honored to see the USA cap with my name on it."Vavra is part of a 48-person swim contingent that will represent the United States when the swim portion of the Games take place from Oct. 15-22 at the Scotiabank Aquatic Center in Guadalajara.She will be competing in the 400 individual medley which is scheduled to take place Saturday, on the opening day of the swimming competition. Vavra will be joined in the 400 IM by USA teammate Julia Smith."I'm really excited," said Vavra before departing from Houston, Texas with the rest of the United States swim team. "I never made any type of national team before so this is a dream come true."But I'm confident that I can compete at this level. The U.S. Nationals is one of the toughest meets in the world. We have so many talented swimmers in this country. If you can compete against them, you can compete against anyone."Vavra showed she has what it takes to compete with the country's top swimmers in early August at the ConocoPhillips USA National Swim Championships.In the span of just four days, Vavra took part in five individual events and two relays. Counting preliminaries and finals, Vavra swam 11 times. The highlight of that incredibly busy stretch came in her signature event - the 400 IM - when she finished fourth overall.In addition to that performance, the Indiana University senior also finished second in the 'B' final of the 200 IM; ninth in the 'C' final of the 200 butterfly; and 10th in the 'C' final of the 200 backstroke. She just missed the finals in the 200 breaststroke, finishing 26th overall (the top 24 qualify for the A, B and C finals). All of those events had hundreds of competitors in the them."It was a little rough, but I love to challenge myself," said Vavra of her decision to compete in so many events instead of focusing on one or two. "I like swimming different events so I decided since I had qualifying times good enough to get me in all those events, I might as well swim them."That type of attitude is what has pushed Vavra throughout her swim career. From her days at Panther Valley High School where she was a five-time PIAA State Champ, the Coaldale native has always strived to be the best."I hate to lose. I don't like being second best," said Vavra. "I think that's what pushes me."But Vavra found out that just working hard in the pool wasn't enough."As I got older and the level of competition increased, I realized I needed to do more to give myself an opportunity to compete with the elite swimmers," said Vavra. "Now, in addition to just swimming, I focus on things like nutrition, sleep, and extra cardio work."I've had to make a lot of sacrifices and give up things that most people take for granted. But the hard work and sacrifice really has paid off."That hard work paid off in a pair of Big Ten individual championships this past year and All-American recognition in three different events at the NCAA championships. Vavra followed up those performances with her outstanding week at the USA Nationals."Since I was little, it was always a goal of mine to make the United States National team," said Vavra. "But I never said to myself 'if I make the team.' I always said to myself 'when I make the team.'"The question of 'when' Vavra will make the team has now been answered. But don't expect her to be satisfied. There is always a new goal."I look at my athletic career like an hour glass," said Vavra. "I realize that it won't go on forever and that it's slowly trickling away."That's why I plan to do everything in my power to reach my full potential. If you are really passionate about something, there is no way you can give anything less than your all."Vavra's passion for swimming is obvious. Saturday, she will get a chance to display that passion on an international stage wearing a black swim cap with the United States flag and her name on it.