Nicky Ann Stephens is Athlete of the Year for 2011

Nicky Ann Stephens had the spotlight shone on her last Saturday afternoon at Frenches House, when she was named Team Athletics SVG’s Athlete of the Year for 2011.{{more}}

The top award, crowned off her afternoon, as she had earlier been declared the obvious choice for Junior Female Athlete of the Year.

The 16-year-old fourth form student of the Thomas Saunders Secondary School soared above the others when the 2011 performances were analysed.

During the year under review, Stephens was a standout performer at the Inter Secondary Schools Meet for her school, the Thomas Saunders Secondary, as she won the High Jump, Triple Jump and the Long Jump. This earned her the Intermediate Female championship.

Stephens then went on to the Junior Carifta Games in Jamaica, where she placed fourth in the Long Jump and Triple Jump.

She however took the silver medal in the High Jump at the Windward Islands Games in Dominica, turning in her personal best of 1.63 meters. Stephens was fourth in the Long Jump, also at the Windward Islands School Games.

Outings at the Falcon Games in Tobago and the IAAF World Youth Commonwealth Games in the Isle of Man provided Stephens with the experience for her future rise.

Stephens admitted to SEARCHLIGHT, soon after receiving the top award, that she only took up athletics seriously over the last three years, but was “thrilled” by the accolade bestowed on her.

“I was caught by surprise, I really was not expecting it,” the somewhat bashful Stephens said.

Recounting her entry into the sport, Stephens said that while a student of the Buccament Bay Primary School, she participated mainly for fun in the school’s annual inter house Athletics Meet.

Her sporting entry into the Thomas Saunders Secondary was not a welcoming one, as she placed last in the 100 m and seventh in the 200 m.

Stephens said it was Physical Education teacher at the school, Godfrey Harry, who told her that she has the potential to become a good athlete.

She then gave Harry’s advice some serious thought.

However, despite being in the Track and Field limelight, the lanky Stephens, who towers just about six feet, is still unsure how far she wants to reach in her field events.

For now though, the soft spoken Stephens said she is enjoying the moment of glory. (RT)