An open-age world championships, at just 16.

It's a hell of a sports story.

But it's not the whole story. Gretta's is a whole lot more than that.

* * *

The Mater Dei Catholic College student is back in the pool at Wagga's Oasis, a month after her win at the Down Syndrome Swimming Australia National Championships in Brisbane.

Gretta's at home in the water. She floats, moves freely, and gracefully.

"It's fun," she says.

She loves it, almost as much as she loves the woman her taught her to swim, Emily Paul.

"She does (help me)," Gretta says.

"She's gorgeous."

Emily laughs, and the two hug. Gretta, the swimmer, and the friend who's been coaching her since she was five.

"It's been so enjoyable. I think it's been one of the most rewarding things I've been a part of," Emily says.

"She's just so determined. She has such a positive attitude and has probably inspired me a lot in terms of when she puts her mind to something.

"It's been challenging. You know, we went from her not being able to put her goggles on and not wanting to put her head in the water to now - obviously she can swim laps, and does a beautiful 50 metres of freestyle."

Emily wasn't in Brisbane for the Down Syndrome Nationals. But Gretta's parents, Andrew and Sue, sent her a video of Gretta's winning swim.

"I was so impressed," Emily says.

"Those around me have known I've been coaching for her a long time. But when they saw that video, they just couldn't believe how talented she is.

"I was emotional, if I'm honest. Really emotional.

"I'm so proud of her. She's just a great role model."

As for Gretta, it simply felt good to win: "Like a little champion," she says.

Against adults, and vastly more experienced swimmers, Gretta was representing NSW for the first time, and won her heat comfortably. She stretches her arms out now, and a race caller might say she won going away.

The win qualified the teen for next year's world championships in Turkey.

At 16, Gretta is too young to go, but swimming has already opened a new world.

"We didn't know what she was going to be like at nationals," mum, Sue Leigh-Cooper, says.

"She won her heat very easily, swimming against world champions in their 20s and 30s. She shocked us!"

Sue says Down syndrome swimmers are said to peak in their mid-to-late 20s. They hope Gretta's efforts encourage more to take up the sport.

"You don't realise what your kids can do. Other parents (of Down syndrome children) will see that they can achieve great things," Sue says.

"Finding something that Gretta loves, she's changed. She absolutely loves it, and she's met other children with the same disability. She's met new friends.

"She met her boyfriend up there, and had her first dance (with Tim, a 22-year-old world champion from Wollongong who asked her to dance at the formal party following nationals)."

Her mum says they couldn't get her off the dance floor. Gretta's more coy.

"Yeah, I had a dance. With my friends," she says.

The Leigh-Coopers are as proud of the community around their daughter, as they are of Gretta.

As well as Emily, there's Jeannie Symons working on her strength at Flex-It gym (where Gretta now has a part-time job too).

Mater Dei's sports coordinator Nathan Irvine helped the year 10 student on the path towards state selection and a nationals swim.

And Wagga Swim Club coach Gennadiy Labara has welcomed her to his squad, for which the Leigh-Coopers couldn't be more grateful.

"She copies, and she's getting faster because she's keeping up with mainstream swimming kids. She knows no different, and she'll do whatever they do. She's a fighter," Sue says.

"That's why we're so thankful they took her on. 'G' (Gennadiy), he's a wonderful man."

Emily says being involved with the swim club will be key to Gretta's progression.

"That's the point she's at," Emily says.

"I've been able to help her with her stroke correction and actually learning how to swim but now it's all about training and endurance and that's what swimming club is all about.

"So being a part of that is a really important thing for Gretta now."

READ MORE: