EMILIE Miller keeps going from strength to strength.

The 15-year-old Kinross Wolaroi School swimmer completed her first competitive 200m freestyle event on Friday, taking out the race at the Australian Age Multi Class Swimming Championships in Canberra.

But for Kinross’ head swimming coach, Steve Critoph, the young star’s progress is not just about winning medals.

Miller was on the diving blocks at the Lithgow Pool on January 7, 2008 when she slipped while preparing for the NSW State Age Championships at Homebush, falling awkwardly into the water.

She broke her C5 vertebrae in the accident and was airlifted to Westmead hospital.

Critoph has coached the swimmer since she started at the school and claims her determination since the accident has enabled her to achieve her goals.

“In terms of what she is doing, it has been about trying to get better each race,” Critoph said of Miller’s progress.

“If all you worry about is the next step, and if you keep doing that enough, then opportunities will arise.”

Miller has been taking those opportunities.

Having mainly practised in the 100m and 50m freestyle events, Miller only started practising the 200m event at the Kinross pool two weeks ago.

“(Canberra) was the first time I had raced the 200,” she said.

“I was nervous beforehand, but I had trialled the race before, so I knew I could do it.”

Having swept the pool in Canberra, Miller will now focus her attention to the Telstra Swimming Championships in two weeks where she hopes to do well in her backstroke events.

“I like the backstroke better,” Miller said.

“I’m closer to the classification record in the backstroke.”

With such rapid improvement, Critoph believes Miller will only continue in that direction.

“All of the progress she has made has been in a forward direction,” he said.

“And with the great support network she has it will only continue.”

Miller will travel to the Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre for the Telstra Swimming Champ-ionships, which start on Tuesday, March 16.