Stephanie Moore’s dedication to swimming has paid off. 31379 Picture: Luke Plummer
By Casey Neill
BELGRAVE student Stephanie Moore has dominated a national swimming championship, taking home six medals and a trophy from a single day’s competition.
The 12-year-old took on swimmers from across the country in the National Christian Schools Swimming Championship in Perth, from 18 to 21 May.
Stephanie claimed the top competitor honour in the 13-years age group and was awarded gold in the 50-metre breaststroke.
She won bronze medals in the freestyle and medley relays, 200 metre individual medley and backstroke and took home silver from the 50 metre freestyle event.
The Belgrave Heights Christian School Year 7 student was excited by her results.
“I expected to do alright, but not that well,” she said.
Stephanie began swimming competitively when she was 10 years old, but her mum introduced her to the water at just six months of age.
“And I just haven’t stopped,” she said.
She loves to swim.
“It teaches me dedication and organisation, but I don’t know what I love about it. I just do,” she said.
Stephanie relies on family and friends to get to training at Nunawading Swimming Club six times a week and runs her life to a tight schedule.
“Whenever I get a chance to do schoolwork I do it,” she said.
“Like when I’m on the bus.”
Her grandparents and family friends drive her to swimming in the afternoons.
“My dad will take me in the mornings and then I’ll take the bus to school,” she said.
But Stephanie said it was all worth it for a shot at Olympic glory.
She hopes to one day represent Australia at the highest level in her favourite event, breaststroke.
While she doesn’t count anyone among her swimming idols, Stephanie said having successfully swimming identity Liesel Jones at the same club was good motivation.
“I want to be like her,” she said.
