Local Sports Star nominee Stephanie Clarence wins NSW Championship race
STEPHANIE Clarence wants to be just like her mum in the pool, and she’s on her way with a win at the NSW Championship finals.
Blacktown
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SWIMMER Stephanie Clarence is becoming more like her mum with each swim stroke.
The seven-year old Caddies Creek Public School student has been swimming for almost five years, favouring the breaststroke like her mum Natalie did as a competitive swimmer in 1996.
“I actually met my husband at a swim club, it’s always been a part of our lives,” Mrs Clarence said.
“I preferred breaststroke, just like Stephanie does, and my son Alexander prefers freestyle just like my husband.”
Mrs Clarence took part in the 1996 and 2000 Olympic trials in the 50 metre breaststroke, beaten out by Karen van Wirdum and Sarah Ryan for a spot in the team.
Stephanie is an underwater torpedo in the making, clinching first spot at the March NSW Championship finals by less than 0.04 seconds.
“I felt like I didn’t win,” Stephanie, of Glenwood, said. “I looked at the board and saw that my time was the same as the other top, but when they told me I won I was really excited.”
Looking up to Olympian and world champion swimmer Bronte Campbell, Stephanie has her own sights set on the Olympics, a little beyond Tokyo in 2020.
“I like going to carnivals where I can race, but I don’t really like training, but I have to so I can get good.”
Stephanie races as part of Blacktown City Swimming Club, with coach Ross Boyd helping the young star with her technique.
Stephanie has been nominated as a Local Sports Star. The program has five categories: Junior Sports Star Individual, Junior Sports Star Team, Young Sporting Spirit Individual, Young Sporting Spirit Team and Service to Sport.
Nominate someone at localsportsstars.com.au
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