Emily Rose Creighton- off to Texas next year

December 10th, 2009 | Stingray Office Manager | Stingray News

Stingrays’ Creighton jumps at Horned Frogs offer

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Emily Rose Creighton, 17 of Newmarket, has accepted a scholarship to Texas Christian University where she hopes to make waves as part of the school’s swim team.

Sports

December 10, 2009 10:11 AM

John Cudmore

Emily-Rose Creighton knows about battling adversity.
The result of her triumph has resulted in a scholarship to attend Texas Christian University, where she aims to step on to the roster of the Horned Frogs’ swim team next year.
The 17-year-old Newmarket resident battled with health issues for three years before doctors found the root of the problem.
“I had breathing problems a few years back,” she explained. “I was diagnosed with asthma and went through a lot of clinical work, but didn’t have it. I got tested for allergies and that’s what it was. When I figured it out, that’s when my times started to straighten out.”
Most concerning was the impact her health issues had on training sessions.
“She has seen some tough times with her (health),” Stingrays head coach Alan Swanston said. “It was a struggle to get through that. Sometimes she had (difficult) times because even the chemicals in the pool made it difficult for her to finish practices. If you can’t train, it’s difficult to become better.”
But her determination also turned out to be a selling point, her coach believes.
“I think that’s why so many schools are interested in her,” Swanston said. “When they find out the difficulties she has overcome, they’re even more interested.”
In a process that started last December, Creighton settled on TCU ahead of several suitors during the NCAA’s recent early signing period. Among the schools to which she made official visits were New Mexico State, Northeastern and University of Idaho.
“I just fell in love with the school and decided it was for me,” she said of TCU, which is in Fort Worth, TX and competes in the Mountain West Conference. “There were a lot of moments where I thought, ‘That’s the school for me’. They’re all amazing schools and I could have instantly picked any one of them.”
Reaching a decision early permits Creighton to focus on swimming.
“I’m a black-and-white type of person,” said Creighton, who joined the Stingrays as a five-year-old and has yearned to follow older teammates on the NCAA trail. “I wanted to know as soon as I could where I’d be going to school. I knew I’d be able to compete on the travel team. It’s a great atmosphere.
“I remember sitting at the year-end banquet as a young child and seeing the older swimmers and hearing their stories and about their futures. A lot of them went to the NCAA Division, I so I knew that’s what I wanted.”
Creighton, who plans a career in medicine, specializes in breaststroke and individual medley.
“I really like to push myself and see how far I can get at something,” Creighton said. “Swimming is a sport where even though obviously there is someone in the next lane, you have to go out and beat yourself.”
With high-profile teammates such Matthew Swanston (Stanford University), Brandon Kingston (North Carolina State University) and Beijing Olympian Lindsay Seemann, who recently accepted a scholarship package to the University of Arizona, Creighton has been flying under the radar.
“Lindsay and I have been swimming together since we were eight and we really push each other,” she said of her Newmarket High School classmate and friend. “It’s been great because I always have someone to challenge me. I wouldn’t be able to compete with Matthew or Brandon, but it’s nice with Lindsay.”
Athlete of the Week is a regular feature highlighting local athletes and their accomplishments. If you know of a nominee, contact The Era by e-mail at jcudmore@yrmg.com or by telephone at 905-853