Katrina Rye Interview: 

What did you study here at Colyton Grammar School?
A Levels: Maths, Biology, PE, and Chemistry (AS)

Do you have a favourite or funny memory from you school days?
Mrs Sindall was my Biology teacher and she used to put the test results on the classroom door ranked in order. One time I was near the bottom, the next time I was nearer the top.

How did find the transition to University from Colyton?
Colyton were really good at looking over my personal statement, they knew that I wanted to do Physiotherapy and I think they used an alumni to assist in course entrance requirements, or they certainly went out of their way to fully explore what I needed to get to get onto the course. It was great to have the school support in that way. I chose Physio as I really wanted a job at the end, a chance to help people.
After Colyton I took a gap year, travelled and worked in Tesco for a while. I think this made me ready for Uni life, I just wanted a break from lessons for a while.
I then went onto to Cardiff University, a great Uni, I made so many friends at Hockey Club, joining sports teams are a great way to make friends. I also joined the University Officer Training Centre, this was a paid activity and gave me an idea of Army officer work. It was great fun too, I made lots of friends here. After this I decided to look at entering the Army, and so after graduation I trained as an Officer at Sandhurst, where all Officers go for British Army training.
I was then sent to Headley Court, the rehabilitation unit for injured personnel, especially from Afghanistan. They had arm, leg amputees, and brain injuries, it was good to put my Physio training into practice. 

This is where I started training for sport, there was a pool at Headley Court so I started training there alongside some cycling and running. As I have now reached GB level the Army has given me the opportunity to concentrate on being the best athlete I can be in order to represent the country as best I can. The Army is fantastic at supporting all sports but importantly it allows me to continue my Physio career pathway by facilitating clinical work alongside my training programme.
 
Having represented GB at the European Middle Distance Triathlon this year and won I am aiming towards the Long Distance World Champs next year. I am also striving to qualify for the World Ironman Champs in Hawaii next year. Alongside these big goals, I am making sure I continue to embrace and enjoy the lifestyle and challenges that being an athlete has. 
 
Highlights so far:
Just this month I was so pleased to win the Exmouth Triathlon, my home town local race with the support of my family and friends. Also, the fact that I came 16th in World at the Ironman 70.3 Championships a couple of weeks ago having only been training full time for 4 months.