St Margaret’s Anglican Girls’ School swimmer Sophie Martin a young gun in and out of the pool

Sophie Martin is one of Australian swimming’s young guns with a resume that would please anyone, but more importantly she was just as impressive out of the pool as she was in it.

Elite national coach David Lush said exciting Queensland swimming product Sophie Martin was a winner in the water and away from the pool deck as well.

Martin, a past student of West End State School and a current student at St Margaret’s Anglican Girls’ School, trains with Lush’s impressive squad at the Brisbane Grammar Swim Club.

MARTIN AMONG NORTH BRISBANE’S TOP SPORTS STARS

As a squad junior, Martin was respectful and a good listener which complements the chemistry of the Grammar swimming group which includes world championship silver medallist Minna Atherton, Rio Olympic medallist Maddie Groves and world youth representative Tahlia Thornton.

Up until recently the great Emily Seebohm was also a mentor to Martin at the squad.

Sophie Martin with her 2019 Australian Age medals.

“Not only is she an athlete, she is a great human and so mature and beyond her years,’’ Lush said.

“It is a great credit to her parents, how polite and respectful she is.’’

Although Martin was the outstanding national swimmer in her age group, Lush said she did not have “unrealistic expectations’’ but was excited to work with her.

He said Martin also benefited from high class training partners.

“She looks to her left and sees Minna, to the right and sees Maddie Groves,’’ Lush said.

“She keeps everyone honest because she is tenacious and bloody talented.

“At age 13 her maturity is incredible.

“Technically she developing well. We just have to be patient,’’ he said of the swimming all-rounder, who has particular potential as a 200m and 400m freestyle swimmer.

Jenna Forrester of St Peters and Sophie Martin from St Margaret’s at the QGSSSA swim meet in March

Martin said she found her sea legs after being “horrible’’ at athletics when she was attending West End State School as a child.

“My sister used to win all the things and I always came last, dead last. But then I decided to swap to swimming one day,’’ Martin smiled.