RGS past pupil and US student athletics star selected for Team GB

FORMER Ripon Grammar School student Mena Scatchard has been selected to represent Team GB in European Athletics Championships.

The Princeton University graduate, who left RGS in 2021 after her A-levels, will compete in the 1,500 meters at the under-23 championships in Bergen, Norway, from July 17-20.

Named Top Women’s Athlete at Princeton this year, she has been described by the university’s student newspaper as ‘one of the greatest distance runners in Princeton history’.

She is now preparing to transfer to Stanford University following an incredible university athletics career in the US, where she has earned a long list of accolades.

In her U23 age group, Mena is ranked No. 2 in Britain in the 1,500 and No. 3 in Europe. She is also ranked No. 2 in Britain and No. 4 in Europe in the 800 meters.

This month, Mena was presented with Princeton’s Von Kienbusch Top Women’s Athlete Award, having been part of three Ivy championship teams (cross country and indoor and outdoor track and field) and finishing runner-up in the mile race at the prestigious National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) championships.

The Daily Princetonian student newspaper reports: “Scatchard will leave the Tigers having established herself as perhaps the greatest distance runner to ever wear the Orange and Black. She holds school records in the 1,500m, mile, 3,000m and 5,000m and owns the highest NCAA finish by a Princeton women’s track and field athlete in any event.”

Mena recently earned Second Team All-American honors at the prestigious NCAA outdoor championships in Eugene, Oregon, capping off an incredible Princeton University athletics career.

According to the Princeton Tigers athletics team news: “Scatchard now concludes her career in the Orange & Black as an NCAA runner-up, a two-time All-American, eight-time Ivy Champion and the record holder at eight events across indoor and outdoor track.”

Reporting on Mena’s decision to finish her NCAA career in sunny California, the student newspaper explains her reason for choosing Stanford included ‘the California sun, the super nice and talented team there and the facilities and racing opportunities’.

Scatchard was one of this year’s highest-profile transfers, says the report: “And her move to Stanford signifies the rich getting richer, as Stanford is one of the strongest programs in the NCAA.”

“I’m so excited to train with the girls there. They will be able to push me and challenge my training and racing to new levels,” Mena told the paper. “I hope to make a positive contribution to the Stanford team and score valuable points.”

“I have loved my time at Princeton and would not have changed it for the world.”

At the U23 British trials, held at the Cardiff International Sports Campus, Mena finished second in the 1,500 with a time of 4:28.64.

During her time at RGS, where she achieved an A* and two As at A-level, Mena was crowned Yorkshire Champion three years running and selected to run for the England youth team after being talent spotted by England and British Athletics as a future sporting star.

She set off from her small North Yorkshire village of Hutton Conyers for the hallowed halls of the prestigious Ivy League institution, attracted by its exceptional sporting and training facilities.

At the time, headmaster Jonathan Webb said: “Mena has been absolutely dedicated to her cross country and athletics throughout her time at RGS. Anybody who has seen her running the streets of Ripon and surrounding areas understand the immense focus and determination she has given to this goal.”

She first got into running when she was 11 years old and competed in cross country at RGS, going on to enjoy athletics throughout the summer season. By third form Mena, who has also represented her school in hockey, started to take running more seriously and joined Ripon Runners club.

Mena before she left Ripon Grammar School for Princeton