EMERGING high jump star Johanna Jellie has secured a lucrative scholarship to study and train at an American university.
The 19-year-old Warrnambool athlete will take up her place at Minot State University, North Dakota, in August after receiving offers from six other schools in the States.
“It’s a bit unreal,'’ Jellie said.
“You go through an agency in Queensland and they send your profile over to unis in America and if they’re interested in you they send you letters.'’
Jellie is looking forward to improving her high jump technique as well as beginning her psychology studies.
“I was hoping to get one because their was a lot of time put into it but I was lucky to get one and it’s a pretty decent offer,'’ she said.
“I’m studying psychology so they pay for you to study and train and compete at the same time.
“You compete in conferences and travel around so it should be good.'’
It’s the first trip overseas for Jellie, who won the Victorian under 23 high jump title earlier this year with a jump of 160cm.
“I’m obligated to stay there for a year but although the degree goes for four years the scholarship is on a year-to-year basis,'’ she said.
“You get over there and if you do well other unis could offer you scholarships as well, so you can transfer.
“The aim is to get over there and once you get there you can do whatever you want.'’
Jellie said she could potentially stay in the States to finish her four-year degree.
“I’ll just take it a year at a time and it should be all right,'’ she said.
Despite losing her to the other side of the world her family had given their full support, she said.
“They know this is what I want to do so they’re happy about it.'’
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