Acclimatisation more or less complete, Corey Campbell, 18, is ready to make the most of his switch from Dunbar to North Carolina in search of academic and athletic progress.
In the middle of 2024 Corey, who, out of East Lothian AC, once ran ran the fastest ever mile for a 15-year-old – 4m 05.77 – upped sticks and headed for Wake Forest University where he hopes to complete a degree in economics as well as make up some lost time on the track.
The latter was partly due to a “minor hip difficulty” although Corey still more than made his mark on 2024 by shaving six one-hundredths of a second off Graham Williamson’s Scottish record for the under-20s 3,000 metres which had been in place since 1978, during an event in Italy.
“2025 is going to be an exciting first full calendar year in the US” said Corey, adding:
“As well as the minor difficulty with my hip I had to adjust to different food, different people and so on.
“But I’m moving fairly well again with some good momentum and we’ll see where I go from here albeit the American and European (athletics) calendars work on different time lines.”
That could affect plans to target the European Junior Championships later in the year but he is sure there is plenty to build on.
“2024 certainly started with a bang when I had the opportunity to run in Boston where I felt I did well.
“I learned a lot and although I fell short of my goal to compete in the World Junior Championships I would not change a thing.
“Another plus was being part of a top training group in South Africa and when I look back 2024 was good for me.”
Very much a ‘glass half full’ type Corey has even seen benefits in being back home to train in a typical Scottish weather.
“It definitely makes you tougher” he says.
Meanwhile, he does not have to decide until second year which degree course he will settle upon.
It appears though that his mind is already set having told his Linkedin page about a strong connection between sport and economics, noting:
“As an international middle-distance runner, I have competed at prestigious events such as the European U18 Championships and have proudly represented Scotland at the U18 Commonwealth games. My sights are set on achieving greatness in my sport through winning major championships, setting records, and pushing the boundaries of what is possible.
“Moreover, I have a strong academic foundation. I have always been interested by the world of language. I am currently expanding my linguistic repertoire by mastering the German language. This passion for communication and understanding different cultures has been instrumental in shaping my holistic approach to personal and professional development.
“Furthermore, I have aspirations to remain in the sport of athletics long after my own competitive career comes to an end. In addition to my passion for athletics, I find economics to be a captivating field of study. Interestingly, I believe there is a profound connection between the principles of economics and the strategies employed in sports. The concepts of optimisation, resource allocation, and strategic decision-making, are integral to both disciplines.
“As I pursue my ambitions, I am actively seeking collaborations and partnerships with professionals, educators, and corporate sponsors who share my passion for excellence in multiple arenas.”
Corey Campbell who switched from George Heriot’s to Dunbar Grammar in his final year so as to replace a daily commute with extra training time certainly appears to have a future mapped out.
Will 2025 be the year in which the sporting world learns a lot more about this dedicated and committed young athlete?
Evergreen sports journalist. Previously published in many publications around the world. Send me your local sports stories. billlothian1008@gmail.com
