As she focused on her training to reach a goal that once didn't seem possible, Cal rower Caileigh Filmer wore a wristband that served as a constant reminder that she had the support of her fellow Golden Bears back in Berkeley.

While the Bears' mission for 2015-16 was to do something extraordinary, Filmer was concurrently doing something pretty extraordinary herself.

Filmer own personal mission culminated in euphoria Tuesday, when she was selected as one of 26 athletes that will represent Team Canada at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in August.

“I'm extremely thrilled and excited,” Filmer said. “I feel like I'll be able to bring some positivity and relentlessness to help Canada end up on the podium.”

Filmer will row in the Women's Eight. The rowing competition takes place at Lagoa Stadium on Rodrigo de Freitas Lake from Aug. 6-14.

Filmer left Berkeley during the recently completed spring semester to train with the Canadian National Team and look to earn her spot on the Olympic roster. The women's team will hold a training camp in London, Ontario in July before heading off to Rio.

“The entire team was extremely supportive when I made the decision to leave for the season,” Filmer said. “The team sent me a matching wristband that the entire team wore up until NCAAs. I'm still wearing it to draw back to the team's support.”

Filmer said she didn't even think about trying to make the Olympic team until about two years ago when she had a discussion about it with her coach back in her hometown of Victoria, B.C. She ended up earning extensive international experience with Team Canada, twice participating in the World Junior Championships and World Cup while also making appearances in the Youth Olympic Games and U23 World Championships.

“I love setting goals that seem near-impossible and trying to reach them,” Filmer said. “At the time, it was a long shot. But as everything started to play out and as training started to pay off, I started moving up the ranks. It ended up going really well for me.”