Emily Beecroft (17) has had an amazing year. In this past twelve months, Emily has broken a world record – in the 50m butterfly – won numerous awards and accolades and has competed at the Rio Paralympics, representing Traralgon and Australia with great distinction.
In Multi-Class swimming, all performances are judged based on the proximity of the swim time to the world record in that classification in that event – that is why swimmers with a variety of disabilities can compete against each other in one event. In Berlin, Germany, at the International German Championships, on 12th June last year, Emily swam a 31.63 in the 50m Butterfly setting the new mark by which all S9 swimmers are judged. With that swim Emily also captured the Australian record. Emily is .2 away from the Australian 100m butterfly record held by Madeleine Scott.
At the Paralympics – an amazing experience back in September – Emily competed in 4 events. She made the final in 3 of these events and swam to a personal best in all four events. This, in itself, is an amazing achievement under the pressure of a huge stage in a world event.
200m Individual Medley 15th 2:45.91
100m Freestyle Final 7th 1:04.90
50m Freestyle Final 4th 29.33
100m Butterfly Final 6th 1:10.56
As part of the Paralympic preparation and competition, Emily was away for 2 weeks in Auburn at the staging camp and then 2.5 weeks in Rio. All together four and a half weeks away with Australian team. It takes great determination, flexibility and fortitude to not only cope, but thrive under those conditions.
Emily (centre) with sisters, Maddison and Kaylee in Rio
On January 26, Australia Day, Emily was honoured as the Young Citizen of the Year in Latrobe City at the Australia Day celebrations at Kernot Hall. Emily’s Coach, Dean Gooch and Traralgon Club President, Jane Mitchell and Secretary, Heather Haney joined Emily and her family and friends for the presentation at which Emily spoke to those gathered as she accepted flowers and a commemorative trophy.
http://www.latrobevalleyexpress.com.au/story/4431541/young-citizen-of-the-year-emily-beecroft/
Emily is a credit to herself, her family and to us, the Traralgon Swimming Club as she goes from strength to strength as a swimmer and as a public personality. We congratulate Emily and look forward to what 2017 may bring!
February 12, 2017
Traralgon Swimming Club News