Six super swimmers from the USC Spartans are poised to make waves at the Paralympics, which is underway.
Blake Cochrane, Katja Dedekind, Ben Hance, Braedan Jason, Keira Stephens and Ruby Storm are part of a strong Australian team that is expected to fare well in Tokyo over the next fortnight.
Their club coach Nathan Doyle, who is also a coach with the national squad, expected the group to shine.
Blake Cochrane
The 30-year-old Cochrane will compete in his fourth Paralympics, after capturing two gold in London and silver at Beijing and Rio.
Born with multiple limb deficiencies, he will compete in the 100m breaststroke (SB7).
Doyle said his charge had plenty of experience on the big stage and he should inspire others.
“He’s been there and done that, so I’m looking for him to lead from the front,” he said.
“It will probably be his last Games and it’s an opportunity for him to go out on top.
“It’s rare for someone to get to get to a fourth Games and still be at the top of their game.”
- Cochrane’s event: Men’s 100m breaststroke SB7.
Katja Dedekind
Dedekind competed for Australia in Rio as a 15-year-old but is poised to rock this year’s Games after a great lead-up.
Born with blindness in her right eye and tunnel vision in her left eye, the 20-year-old will compete in freestyle and backstroke events (S13).
She was close to missing national selection a couple of years ago but has since emerged as the No.1-ranked female swimmer on the Australian team, after breaking a national record at the trials in June.
“I think Katja’s come of age,” Doyle said.
“I’m really proud of the effort she’s been able to put in and I’m really excited to see her tackle three events (in Tokyo).”
- Dedekind’s events: Women’s 50m freestyle (S13), 400m freestyle (S13), 100m backstroke (S13).
Ben Hance
Hance, 21, is in his first Australian team, after claiming a world record in June.
He’ll compete in a few events, including his favoured 100m backstroke (S14)
He claimed the fastest time ever, clocking 57.56sec a couple of months ago in Adelaide.
“He’s about as fresh as they come,” Doyle said.
“But he’s a good student, a great listener, and a great athlete to coach, because he takes on every little critique.
“He always wants to do better and putting on the green and gold, with the Coat of Arms, makes him think he’s 10-foot tall and bulletproof.”
Hance, who has an intellectual impairment, will be able to get some experience at the Games before tackling the 100m backstroke.
“His main event is on Day 9, so we’ll see him warm his way into the meet and hopefully, have a big finish,” Doyle said.
Hance lives at Brightwater and has been with the Spartans program for almost two years. He’s originally from Victoria, via Western Australia.
“He moved for the program and is well-supported by his family,” the coach said.
- Hance’s events: Men’s 100m backstroke (S14), 100m butterfly (S14), possible relays.
Braedan Jason
Jason, who is vision impaired, hasn’t missed an Australian team since he made his debut in 2015.
He is set to compete in freestyle and butterfly (S13) in Tokyo.
Jason was a finalist in four events in Rio but is even better now, according to Doyle.
“Braeden has gone from strength to strength,” Doyle said.
“He’s in a really tough event, the 100 free, but every time he races he puts in 100% and that’s all we can ask for.”
He was born with cone dystrophy – eye disorders which resulted in 10% vision.
The 24-year-old is from Cronulla but moved to the Sunshine Coast at an early age.
His family is heavily involved in surf lifesaving at Alexandra Headland, with his father Vincent coaching the beach sprinters.
- Jason’s events: Men’s 100m freestyle (S12), 400m freestyle (S13), 100m butterfly (S12).
Keira Stephens
Stephens, 18, is an up-and-coming swimmer who moved from Hervey Bay to link with the Spartans.
The club had some involvement with her in recent years, before she made the move to the Coast at the start of the year, to swim and study.
“She’s decided swimming is what she wants to do, and she wants to perform well in Tokyo,” Doyle said.
Stephens was born missing fingers on her left hand. Her main event in Tokyo should be the 100m breaststroke (SB9).
“She’s improving every time she swims, so we’ll be looking for her to continue that form,” the coach said.
“I think she’ll be one to watch, and in years coming.”
- Stephens’ events: Women’s 50m freestyle (S10), 100m breaststroke (SB9), 200m individual medley (SM10).
Ruby Storm
Teenager Storm is bound for the Games after making a “big decision” to move to the Sunshine Coast on her own.
From Victoria, she relocated to the region early last year, to train with the Spartans.
Her family could not move at the same time, largely due to COVID-19 restrictions, but Storm made herself at home on the Coast.
“She made a big decision, as a 16-year-old, to take her swimming forward and she found herself at USC,” Doyle said.
“She’s since gone from strength to strength, and we’re really proud of her for the way she has approached it.”
Storm, who has an intellectual impairment, was billeted by a local family from the university, before her family joined her on the Coast. She goes to Siena Catholic College.
“I know she’s really got into the community. She is proud to represent her school, the Spartans program and the Sunshine Coast.”
Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/scnews2020/
Help us deliver more stories about inspirational people by subscribing to our free daily news feed: Go to SUBSCRIBE at top of this article to register.
The talented youngster is likely to compete in the mixed S14 relay, which could also include fellow locals Ben Hance and Liam Schluter.
“They will be trying to back up a medal-winning performance from the world championships, when they won bronze,” Doyle said.
“Hopefully, they can go one or two better.”
- Storm’s events: Women’s 200m freestyle (S14), 100m backstroke (S14), 100m butterfly (S14), 200m individual medley (SM14). Possible relays.
