Former Ripon Grammar School student selected to represent Scotland in 800m at Commonwealth Games
A former Ripon Grammar School student has been selected to represent Scotland in the 800m at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
Mena Scatchard, 23, a Stanford University graduate, has been named in a star-studded Team Scotland squad for the Games, earning her first senior Commonwealth selection.
She qualifies through her Scottish family heritage, with three of her four grandparents born north of the border.
Mena, from Hutton Conyers near Ripon, left Ripon Grammar School in 2021 and is due to compete in the 800m heats on July 27.
She will be aiming to qualify for the semi-finals two days later as she takes to the track alongside some of Scotland’s leading middle-distance runners.
The Games will be broadcast live on Channel 5.
Her selection marks another significant milestone for the former Ripon Grammar School athletics star, whose talent first flourished while competing for the school before taking her to the United States on an athletics scholarship.
Last month Mena graduated from Stanford University, where she completed her postgraduate studies after transferring from Princeton University, where she was presented with the Top Women's Athlete Award.
During her time in America she continued to develop as one of Britain’s leading middle-distance athletes, producing a string of outstanding performances and personal bests.
Having represented Great Britain in Europe, Mena was ranked number two in Britain in the 1500m and number three in Europe.
She was also ranked number two in Britain and number four in Europe in the 800m.
Following the Commonwealth Games, Mena hopes to continue her rapid progression by turning professional and is already in discussions with professional athletics teams about the next stage of her career.
Throughout her time at Ripon Grammar School, Mena established herself as one of the school’s outstanding sporting talents, excelling in cross country and track events.
She regularly represented North Yorkshire and England Schools before earning a scholarship to study and compete in the United States.
Her latest international selection is another proud moment for the Ripon Grammar School community, demonstrating how dedication, determination and hard work can take talented young athletes from school competitions to the world stage.