Sydney Naklicki loves tacos, especially from La Jarochita in Manahawkin. She also loves animals and babies and enjoys fishing.

But there’s one thing she loves more than anything else, at least for now – swimming.

“Swimming is fun, and I’m a natural,” said Sydney, a 12-year-old with Down syndrome. “I’m a strong swimmer. I like tacos before I swim.”

It’s true, her parents, Brian and Ericka, say.

“She’s been swimming since the age of 6,” said Ericka. “Once she started swimming, she didn’t stop.