Examiner Community Awards: Sports personality of the year nominees

Jun 11 2009 Huddersfield Daily Examiner

Katy Ventners

SHE’S only 17, but already Katy Venters is among the world’s best swimmers.

Katy, from Salendine Nook, is rated 21st in the world for 200m backstroke.

The Greenhead College student discovered her talent when aged six when she first took to the water.

Since then, Katy has travelled the world picking up numerous trophies at the highest levels.

Last October she returned home a heroine after achieving gold in the 200m backstroke and achieving a new record at the Youth Commonwealth Games in India.

Katy first represented her country in August at the Tri-Nations tournament in Canada, where she came fourth in 200m backstroke.

She won all the backstroke events at the North East Regions championship in May and came third in the British Championships in Sheffield in April.

Katy set three records – 50m, 100m and 200m – in the Yorkshire County competitions in 2008 and she has gone on to beat her records this year.

While other 17-year-olds are out partying, Katy keeps to a strict regime and gets up early for a 5.30am session at the Galpharm swimming pool.

She hopes to represent Great Britain at the Commonwealth Games in Delhi in 2010 and Olympics in London in 2012.

Katy said: “I’m just happy I’ve been noticed for what I’ve done. It’s really good.

“I’m very happy with what I’ve achieved at 17.”