Next year's Olympic Games had not been a primary focus for the 19-year-old Dunedin swimmer.
However, she was surprised to see last week she had been included on the Swimming New Zealand long list for the event.
She was one of 44 swimmers on that list - which also included Dunedin's Erika Fairweather - having achieved a B qualifying standard for the Games.
While at present that was just a list, it was an indicator that she was on the right track to qualifying.
A qualifying meet will begin on March 31.
While she had always seen it as a long shot, she said it would be ''amazing'' to get there.
''I've always kind of more looked at 2024,'' she said.
''But obviously it's definitely in the back of my mind.
''Waking up at 5am every morning, you've got to do it for something.
''It's definitely a goal always, but it won't be one I'll be gutted if I miss out on.
''There's 2024 and 2028 that I've still got left.''
Deans was unsure what race she had qualified in, but thought it would probably be the 800m and 1500m freestyle.
Those would be her focus as preparations for the trials ramped up.
She would also put some time in the 200m freestyle, giving her the potential to gain a spot in the 4x200m team should it qualify.
Despite that, her focus was on her training and getting faster.
A year ago she had decided to stay in Dunedin, rather than moving away to pursue her swimming.
It was a decision she was glad to have made.
Her times have come down rapidly while working with coach Lars Humer, and being around familiar faces helped too.
''Obviously it's worked really well with the coaches I have here. I get along with them well and my results and times have dropped - it's proved those coaches are working.
''And just being around friends and family at home as well.
''Being around people that know you and are there to support you when it is getting tougher.''
She took a big jump last year and went to the short course world championships.
That had been an ''amazing'' experience and the professionalism of the top swimmers had been an eye-opener.
After taking a gap year last year, she has begun a bachelor of science degree at the University of Otago, majoring in anatomy.
She was enjoying it, although admitted it was becoming more difficult to fit swimming around it.
That included having exams the week before the national championships, at which she swam personal bests in every event.
This semester she was cutting back to two papers to ease the pressure.
