Rhode Island next for White
Talented middle distance and cross-country runner Angus White will head to the United States at the end of August to take up an athletics scholarship with Providence College on Rhode Island.
The scholarship, worth an estimated $300,000, was offered off the back of two stellar years competing nationally and internationally.
The former New Plymouth Boys’ High School student won national titles on the track over 1500m and 3000m while he is also a New Zealand age-group champion in the 6000m road race.
He was second at last year’s New Zealand secondary schools cross-country championships while he was in the national squad that competed at the world championships.
White also captained New Zealand at the Australian national championships.
Former New Zealand Olympians Kimberley Smith and Julian Matthews have recently attended the top tier division one university.
White was naturally looking forward to the move and the opportunities it could bring for his athletics career.
‘‘In Taranaki I have had to train a lot by myself,’’ he said.
‘‘It will be a positive change to be in a squad closely supervised by highly respected US coach Ray Tracey.’’
White, who will be studying a double major in biology and finance, said he would not have had the opportunity to take up the scholarship without the work of his New Plymouth coach Karen Gillum-Green, Boys’ High cross-country squad and lead teacher Paul Dominikovich as well as a number of trusts that had supported him.