Just for the record, swimmer Ellen is a splash hit in the pool
IN THE THIRD IN A SERIES OF SPECIAL FEATURES ON THIS YEAR’S SPORT NEWCASTLE RISING STARS OF SPORT AWARD WINNERS, TONY HODGSON PROFILES DISABLED SWIMMER ELLEN STEPHENSON
MOST sportsmen would be delighted with one world record in their career - but in the past five months Ellen Stephenson has splashed out on eight!!!
The 12-year-old from Newcastle has enjoyed record-breaking success at competitions in Manchester, Southampton and in her native North East.
What makes her achievements all the more outstanding is the fact the Newcastle Swim Team member suffers from the debilitating effects of mosaic Down’s Syndrome.
S14 category swimmer Stephenson first plunged into record-breaking form a gala in Stanley in November, where she recorded 3 min 53.76 secs to win the 200 metres freestyle.
That was followed by a 50 metres freestyle world best of 47.67 secs at the National Para-Swimming Championships in Manchester.
Next up were new records in the 50 metres breaststroke (1 min 01.14 secs), 100 metres backstroke (1 min 53.43 secs) and 100 metres breaststroke (2 min 11.83 secs) at the North Tyneside Swimming Club gala at Stanley.
Finally, Stephenson ruled the world in the 50 metres butterfly (1 min 00.28 secs), 50 metres freestyle (48.14 secs) and 200 metres breaststroke (4 mins 36.39 secs) at the European Open Down’s Syndrome Championships in Southampton.
Stephenson has been in the pool from an early age, starting out at Gosforth Dolphins before joining Newcastle Swim Team three years ago.
Her coach Michele Davison said: “Ellen is just amazing. It is a joy to see her on the blocks because she just loves competing.
“She works so hard and always responds in the right way to advice and criticism.
“Ellen is such a great athlete and very professional in her approach, yet very humble about her achievements.
“For one so young to break so many records in such a short space of time is just fantastic and everyone at the club is so proud of her.
“She could go all the way to representing GB at the very top the way she is going.”
Proud mum Kathryn added: “Ellen has done amazingly well, we are so proud of her.
“She is 100% committed to swimming and trains so hard - four or five hours a week at her club - and her success is just reward for all that hard work.”
However, it is not just in the swimming world where Stephenson’s success is being recognised.
The youngster - who trains with the GB Down’s Syndrome squad was among the 16 young athletes to win Rising Stars of Sport Awards at charity Sport Newcastle’s annual dinner last month.