He will have to get used to that feeling after being named in the New Zealand team last night to attend the Fina World Championships in Russia in July and August.
McLean (15), a Mt Aspiring College pupil, was getting ready for his final day of competing at the national championships yesterday, but his Wanaka Swimming Club coach, Fi Hezinger, said McLean was naturally excited.
''I was there when he qualified for the worlds,'' Hezinger said.
''He was floating high - just absolutely over the moon and could not believe it.''
McLean, a parafed swimmer with achrondoplasia, booked his ticket to Kazan, east of Moscow, with a time of 5min 43.63sec in the final of the 400m freestyle.
Because he made the top qualifying time in the taxing 400m event, he can also swim the 100m freestyle, the 50m butterfly and the 200m individual medley at the world championships after meeting the B qualifying times in those events.
Hezinger has been coaching McLean for five years, and has been impressed by his progress.
''I've always thought that he had talent,'' she said.
''He came to me with really good basics in terms of his technique and with his commitment, I always thought he could be pretty good.''
Other Otago swimmers had a mixed week in Auckland.
The best performer was Kate Godfrey, who won silver in the women's 200m individual medley and was fourth in the 100m backstroke.
Last night, Godfrey finished third in the 200m backstroke.
Fellow Neptune swimmer Andrew Trembath won bronze in the 400m individual medley and was fourth in the 100m backstroke.
Last night, Trembath finished third in the 50m backstroke.
Neptune swimmers Caitlin Deans (fourth in 1500m freestyle) and Matthew Glassford (fifth in 400m individual medley) and Zenith swimmer Stefannie Gillespie (sixth in 800m freestyle) also had good performances.