Gander's Sarah Brown named Canadian Female Special Olympian of the Year

A multi-sport athlete from Gander has been chosen as the Special Olympics Canada National Female Athlete of the year.

Sarah Brown, 25, has been competing with Special Olympics Newfoundland and Labrador, Gander Wings Club, for more than 11 years. 

Brown told CBC Radio's Central Morning Show she got the big news last week.

"I got an email last Thursday night, and I completely freaked out. I was so excited," she said.

The Special Olympics Canada national awards will be presented in Toronto Nov. 19.

Brown said in an average week, she trains with her coach Nancy Howell six out of seven days.

She's preparing for the 2016 Special Olympics Canada National Winter Games in Corner Brook next March.

"I go from anywhere from a 45-minute run, up to an hour and 45-minute run. I also do some P90X workouts," said

"It's a really tough workout."

Brown currently participates in bocce, cross-country skiing, aquatics, bowling, golf, athletics, snowshoeing and curling.

With 151 medals on display at home, she's kept them all in chronological order.

"The medals are awesome. It's a lot of work ... I love it," she said.

Brown is also aspiring to represent the province and country at the 2017 Special Olympics World Games in Austria.  

"It's a dream I've been wanting — I would love to go there."