Freddie Rowe and Joe Scanes, both crowned European U18 champions in Rieti this summer, will continue their development in the United States after announcing their commitments to the University of Oregon. Crowned respectively in the 1500m and 3000m, the two British athletes are among the leading prospects of the next generation of British middle-distance runners. Their move to the NCAA also reflects a growing trend among young British athletes, with increasing numbers choosing the US collegiate system to continue their development.
From European U18 champions to the NCAA
Freddie Rowe has enjoyed a spectacular rise over the past few months. The young Havering Athletics Club athlete made headlines in May by winning the Bannister Mile in Oxford in 4:00.88, becoming the youngest winner of the event. The performance also placed him third on the all-time British U18 mile list, only behind two of the greatest names in the history of the event, Steve Ovett and Steve Cram.
Rowe then lowered his 1500m personal best to 3:40.26 at the British Milers Club Grand Prix in Birmingham. He confirmed that progress in Rieti by winning the European U18 1500m title. Having bided his time in the leading group, Rowe produced his decisive move over the final 200 metres to beat fellow British athlete Alistair Street, securing a historic British one-two in the event at the European U18 Championships.
Joe Scanes, meanwhile, got the British campaign in Rieti off to the perfect start. In the first final of the championships, the 17-year-old won the 3000m in 8:09.19, setting a new personal best. Patient during the early stages of the race, Scanes waited until the final laps before gradually taking control and reclaiming the lead in the closing metres. The title made him only the second British athlete to become European U18 3000m champion, eight years after Thomas Keen.
The two European champions will now continue their development in the NCAA with the Oregon Ducks. Their decision is part of a growing trend among young British athletes, particularly those from the generation that enjoyed such success in Rieti.
Alistair Street, who took silver behind Rowe in the 1500m, will join the University of Tulsa. Michael Clark, another British middle-distance and cross-country prospect, has committed to Northern Arizona. In other events, Shiloh Omotosho will join Ohio State after winning World U20 bronze with the British 4x400m relay, while Lucia Bertacchini, an european U20 bronze medallist in the 400m hurdles, will continue her career at Miami. Noa Chodokufa, also a World U20 bronze medallist with the 4x400m relay, has chosen New Mexico, while Darcy Coslett will join Iowa after finishing fourth in the mixed medley relay in Rieti.
The trend extends well beyond the European U18 Championships. Five of Britain’s seven fastest U20 women over 400m in 2026 have already joined or committed to US universities: Casey Musgrave at Kent State, Shiloh Omotosho at Ohio State, Noa Chodokufa at New Mexico, Darcy Coslett at Iowa and Lucia Bertacchini at Miami. They add to the likes of Kara DaCosta, who joined Arkansas two years ago after securing a silver medal in the 400m event at the U18 european championships.
Earlier this month, two more European U18 champions from Rieti announced moves to the United States. High jumper Samuel James chose the University of Arkansas, while triple jumper Tito Odunaike committed to Stanford.
