Teenager’s off and running!

RHIAN GOING TO AMERICA TO STUDY

FROM Kenton to South Carolina, it’s clear that this talented teenager is going to go far.

While many teens wait nervously for conditional offers of a university place, 18-year-old Rhian Purves already knows exactly where she’ll be studying next year.

And unlike most of her classmates, she’s also set to graduate from university debt free, as she’ll be getting everything from her tuition to her meals for free.

Long-distance runner Rhian has already accepted an unconditional full scholarship to study at the College of Charleston, where she’s been invited to join the highly successful ‘Cougars’ athletics team.

A runner with the Gosforth Harriers, Rhian, has represented the North East in the English Schools track and field competitions, been crowned the North East county champion for 1,500 and 3,000 metre competitions and won podium positions in the Junior Great North Run seven years in a row.

Discussing university options with her family, Rhian wondered if it might be possible to study in the US. She made contact with a company called Sporting Elite USA, which puts UK students in touch with American colleges who offer sporting scholarships which might suit them. Plenty of different universities got in touch, but it was the South Carolina-based college that most appealed.

“I really liked the look of Charleston, the campus was really nice and I liked the team spirit in the running team,” she said.

But it’s not just her sporting talent that’s secured her place at the prestigious college.

Brainy Rhian is currently predicted to net top grades in her four A Levels (chemistry, physics, maths and further maths). Last year, she got an A in her biology AS level, while also studying for a GCSE in astronomy at Northumbria University in her spare time.

“It was studying astronomy that made me realise I could go into the astrophysics side of science,” Rhian said.

“I would quite like to be an astronaut after I graduate.”

There’s plenty of hard work, as well as natural talent, involved. Rhian’s training takes place six times a week. She takes Tuesday evenings off running - for maths study.

A keen runner since the age of eight, Rhian says she doesn’t mind all the training time.

“I find it quite relaxing, taking a break from school work and getting out there for a run,” she said.

“It clears my head.”

When she gets to Charleston, the strict regime will continue, with training before lectures and classes every morning. But Rhian says she’s excited to get stuck in to life in the US, and is looking forward to getting to know her new coach and teammates better.

She said: “I am a little bit nervous about being so far from home, but I’ve spoken to the coach out there and they all seem really friendly. It’s so exciting.

“I’m really looking forward to it.”