Maria wins BBC award

Racer Maria Costello has been named the first ever BBC Northamptonshire Sports Personality of the Year.

TT and Manx star Maria was presented with the shield on stage on October 19 – the result of winning an online vote.

She beat Rugby World Cup winner and Saints hooker, Steve Thompson MBE, Shaun Murphy – the first qualifier to win the Embassy World Title – Peter Ebdon another snooker player with 6 ranking titles, Usmann Afzaal the County Cricket ‘Player of the Year’, Sally Kelly who rowed with her mother across the Atlantic and Catlin McClathcey a World Championship bronze medallist in the 2005 400m freestyle event.

Both Maria and Steve Thompson MBE – who came second – go through to a regional final in December.

Maria, said: “I couldn’t believe it when they called my name out as the winner. I would like to thank everyone for taking the time to vote, you made it happen, so thank you to you all – my family, friends and fans!”

Maria is now looking forward to the forthcoming BBC East Midlands Sports Awards which will be held at the De Montfort Hall in Leicester on December 5. Her Bering Honda CBR600RR race bike will also be there and will be on display at the entrance to the hall.

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