We have had the opportunity to speak to Helen Braybrook ('21) about her time in the US as a student Athlete, her journey, her achievements and advice she would give to current Oakhamians. 

What made you want to go to the USA?

I never really had the urge to go; my parents were the ones who saw it as an opportunity. From my perspective now, it is a different experience to go to University here in the UK, and I think as an athlete, it is the best place to be. I never really was too keen on running and wasn’t very good; I just had the talent, but this all changed when I actually got to America and started to train. Since being in the USA, I have been able to travel pretty much everywhere (for free) and compete against some of the very best. For example, I have been able to race in California, Oregon, Florida, Virginia, Texas, Washington, and these are just a handful of states! 

What is it like studying while also being an athlete?

I am studying Media with an emphasis in journalism, a major in sociology, a minor in anthropology, and a certificate in geography. I am very much in the USA for track, and so all of my focus goes towards that. However, I do have to maintain certain grades in order to do this, but the US education system is a lot easier than here, so I adjusted easily and am able to fulfil all my goals on the track. 

What have been your achievements?

My biggest achievements so far are that I am a 10-time All-American, which are awards given to the best amateur athletes in the states. Of these, I am a three-time national champion (once in the indoor 800m, twice in the Distance Medley relay), 3 time national runner-up in the D2 800m, and finished 13th at NCAA D2 cross nationals. I was named Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference athlete of the year, and I was also named USTFCCCA athlete of the week multiple times. I currently hold the fastest ever 600m indoors in DII, the fourth fastest 800m indoors, and the 11th all-time ever 800m time on Colorado soil. I hold university records in the 800m (2.02.8) and in the mile (4.38.10). I also hold the outdoor Rocky Mountain Athletics Conference meet record for the 800m, 1500m and indoor 800m.  

What has been your most significant achievement since being in the states? 

So far, winning the DMR (distance medley relay) earlier this year in Indiana was my favourite moment, which is a relay indoors consisting of 1200m leg, passes to the 400m leg, passes to the 800m leg, who then passes it off to the mile leg. As a team, we had all worked so hard to be there and win, and we ended up winning by a lot against the best in the country, and so this was a highlight for me. Winning the 800m indoors was also a big achievement for me, the day after our DMR win. A cross-country achievement was last November in California, as a girls' team we finished 3rd against 34 top DII colleges. I finished 13th out of 272! Last June I also had the opportunity to race at the Olympic trials. 

What advice would you give to current Oakhamians who are excelling in athletics?

I would say to enjoy the sport, but take it at your own pace, as I know there is a lot of comparison with social media, but everyone has a different direction with it, and some may take longer to reach the top, but just make sure to always have fun and enjoy it. If you're planning on pursuing it at a high level whilst also getting a degree after school, the USA is a great option, and you also won't have any student debt as scholarships cover you, so go get an education and the ability to compete at a high level. The coaching at my university specifically is amazing, my times before going out to the US and Now : 800m, 2.16 before, 2.02 now. 1500m, 4.57 before, now 4.15. 400m before 61, now 54.