The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net She had a choice between three top division one collegiate programmes in the United States, but Bria Deveaux decided to settle for an athletic scholarship to swim for the University of Nebraska Huskers. Deveaux, 17, was one of five prep athletes who signed their letters of intent at Nebraska last month and will be joining the Huskers in August, 2012. She is a freestyle sprint and butterfly specialist that is a two-time high school All-American at Baylor Boarding School in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Deveaux, who earned a gold medal in the 100-yard butterfly at the Caribbean Championships and qualified for the World Junior Championships in Peru, said it was a hard decision for her to decide between the three schools. "It came down to the last minute. I guess it was the last minute that I could decide," she stated. "All of the schools were great. I really could have chosen anyone." So what was the deciding factor for Deveaux? "Probably the atmosphere of the places that I went to," she said. "It wasn't something that I could put my finger on. It was something that everyone feels when they feel they belong there." Deveaux, who is heading to a meet this weekend, said she intends to work "very hard" over the next year to ensure that she is "a valuable part of the Nebraska team." "So I'm going to be training hard and making sure that I stay consistent," she added. The Barracudas' swim team member left town at the end of her ninth grade at St Andrew's High School to complete her high school eligibility in the US. She is currently in the top four in her specialty at Baylor and admitted that she has been very pleased with her progress. "I'm just excited that I'm getting ready to go to college," said Deveaux, who noted that her ultimate goal is to compete in the Olympic Games. And, if not in London, England, next year, by 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, after gaining some valuable collegiate experience. Her father, Hillary Deveaux, was quite thrilled about his daughter's selection. "I think she has done quite well. I particularly like the idea of her being at Nebraska. I like the Midwest," he stated. "Nebraska is a very good school, both academically and athletically. So I think she will be in good hands and she will be guided very well."