Taking her time - US-bound Richards in no rush to make college choice
Published:Friday | March 30, 2018 | 12:00 AMRobert Bailey/Gleaner Writer
Edwin Allen's Class One ISSA/GraceKennedy Boys and Girls' Athletics Championships shot put record holder Fiona Richards says she is now considering which overseas university she will be attending next season.
The 19-year-old Richards, who hails from Portland, said she has received a number of scholarship offers from colleges in the United Sates, but she is yet to decide which one she will be attending next season.
"I am going to university in the United States and I am thinking about Georgia State, but I have six other colleges to choose from," said Richards.
"It is a weird to feeling to know that all of these colleges have been expressing an interest in me, but I will just have to see what happens," she said. "I am not in any rush to make any decision at this time and so I am going to sit with my coach and my family and after that, I will select my choice," Richards said.
The talented Richards, who also competes in the discus event, said her aim is to become a professional athlete in the future.
"I think people should expect the unexpected from me going forward, because my aim is to become a professional athlete and so I will be working very hard to achieve this in the future," said Richards.
"I believe a lot in my ability and so I know that once I put in the hard work and stay focused then, I will achieve my goal of being the best shot putter or discus thrower in the world one day," she said.
Richards won the Class One shot put with a record throw of 14.15m. However, the powerfully built athlete finished second in the discus, with a best mark of 48.08m, behind St Jago's Gabrielle Bailey, who won the event with a throw of 48.93m.
She added that she has enjoyed her time at Edwin Allen and she is now looking forward to the next phase of her career.
"I don't feeling any way about leaving Edwin Allen because for me, it is another opportunity to seek another success in my career," Richards said.
"My time here was great, wonderful and well executed. It was amazing competing for Edwin Allen and I am grateful for that opportunity," she said.