Name: Annabelle Corcoran
Age: 10
School: South Salem Elementary
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Accomplishment: Swimming All Star.
Corcoran bested dozens of fellow-swimmers to gain a coveted spot on the USA Swimming Metro All Star Team. Only the top three swimmers in each stroke are chosen for the team; Corcoran is one of 11 girls selected from 77 competing teams for the March swim competition.
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Equally impressive, Corcoran's standings put her into four races: the 100 Free, the 500 Free, the 50 Back and the 100 Individual Medley.
Key to Awesomeness:
Corcoran is devoted to swimming, putting in six to eight hours a week in the water. Her enthusiasm for the sport means all strokes are favorites and even chilly pool conditions are part of the fun. “I love how the water is always cold,” she said.
While each stroke is a favorite, Corcoran says the 100 Free is probably her strongest stroke. Her best time to date is 1:0306; she hopes to beat a minute in her upcoming competitions.
“Her grandfather swam for Yale and never broke a minute,” said mom Kathy Corcoran. “That’s a big thing for her, to beat his time.”
Annabelle Corcoran got hooked on competitive swimming as a six-year old, first joining the Manorhaven Red Devils. She also swims for the Long Island Express, a USA sanctioned team, out of Hofstra University. Annabelle’s dedication in the water adds up to an impressive string of accomplishments: undefeated for three years in a row on the Red Devils, Girl’s Overall MVP in 2008, winner of The Red Devil Award in 2009 and Girls 10 and Under MVP in 2010.
Annabelle says she’s excited rather than nervous before competions, although she does have one nagging thought before each race. “I hope my goggles don’t fall off,” she said.
When she’s not at the pool, Annabelle swims outdoors, participating in the Jones Beach Jr. Lifeguards Corp as well as two triathlons. Her athletic prowess extends to dry land; she played on Port Washington’s undefeated fifth grade lacrosse team and she also plays tennis.
Mom Kathy is happy that Annabelle has connected with a sport she loves. “I like that she has the passion for something and she just goes for it,” the elder Corcoran said.
