CAITLIN Wosika will be heading to America later this summer after accepting a four-year scholarship offer.

The 18-year-old, from Hilperton, was handed the deal from William Marsh Rice University in Houston, Texas and is scheduled to fly out on August 9.

“I am so excited,” said Wosika.

“I knew I wanted to go to America so had signed up with the Sporting Elite organisation which helps put American universities in contact with British athletes.

“I was then contacted by the athletics coach at Rice University, we chatted on Skype and then later I visited them plus another university is Massachusetts.

“But I accepted Rice as they wanted someone to run the steeplechase, which is where I see my future on the track and they also put a high value on the academic side which I do as well.

“And the weather is really nice in Texas and I love the sun.”

Wosika is joining a well-worn path taken by leading British athletes in recent years, including a number of Team Bath clubmates from Wiltshire.

Bradford on Avon runner Alex Carter recently graduated from Iona University in New York State while fellow ex-St Laurence School student Katherine Turner is still at Butler University in Indianapolis.

Former St Augustine School student Emily Dixon is at Elon University in South Carolina, ex-Sheldon School student Gemma Shepherd is at Yale and Box athlete Livia Gauntlett is at Harvard.

With all academic fees, accommodation and meal costs taken care of plus the chance to train with a large group of similarly-talented athletes of the same age using excellent facilities with full medical back-up it is little wonder that so many youngsters grab at the chance to continue their careers in America.

“I think the cost is around $70,000 every year which is insane,” added Wosika.

“I never thought I would get a scholarship so I am so happy. I had to take a multi-choice entrance test but there are no specific A level requirements and I’ll have already started when I get my results,”

Woiska will be using the summer to race herself into shape having struggled with a shin splints injury during the winter because as she as arrives in Houston she’ll be plunged into the cross country season.

“I am really looking forward to racing indoors for the first time and then trying the 3000m steeplechase next summer,” she added.