A 17-year-old from Ripon Grammar School, who is ranked in Britain’s top four for the 200m butterfly, will be heading to Grand Canyon University in Arizona.
Christa, from Dishforth, will study chemistry at the university, renowned for its exceptional sports teams, while setting her sights on the 2024 Olympics in Paris.
From Ripon Grammar School to Arizona and a scholarship that will help Christa’s Olympic bid.
The holder of numerous medals at national and international levels, Christa was pursued by three other US universities, who all offered full scholarships.
She felt Grand Canyon was the best fit and said:
“It will be amazing to train and compete in America, a thrilling experience to compete against the fastest swimmers in the world and train alongside Olympians.
“My goal is to compete in the 2024 Olympics after qualifying for this year’s Olympic trials.
“Grand Canyon will provide the best facilities, training programme and team dynamics for me over the next four years, allowing me to swim and study to the highest possible standards.”
As well as her tuition fees throughout her four-year degree course, the university will pay for accommodation and all other costs including food, sports kit and equipment, with the bonus of a personal spending allowance.
Christa’s aspiration for her freshman year is to qualify for the US National College Athletic Association Division 1 Swimming Championships – the fastest swimming meet in the world.
She learned to swim aged just six months and began competing when she was nine. Her mother Kathryn said:
“All the years of missing social events, days out and sleep due to 4am starts has finally paid off due to her hard work.”
She added:
“I would like to thank the staff at RGS for supporting Christa both academically and for her swimming throughout her time at the school.”
Christa is a member of the Northumberland and Durham Elite Training Programme and the Borough of Stockton Swim Scheme, and has been crowned county champion for Northumberland and Durham on numerous occasions.
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Alongside her academic studies, she maintained a punishing training regime, consisting of 3.45am wake-up calls to travel 140-mile round trips for early morning and late evening sessions in the pool.
Christa plans to take a two-year postgraduate course in forensic science following her chemistry degree.