SHAYNE FAIRMAN, STAR Writer

One of the most accomplished 17-year-olds in local swimming, Nicholas Haughton's achievements in the pool and academia have earned him a scholarship to Howard University in Washington DC in the United States.

"I feel honoured and happy to attend this prestigious institution," Haughton told STAR Sports yesterday.

"I'm even more honoured to have received a scholarship."

The swimmer, who attends Campion College, passed eight subjects at CSEC, and also has passes at the CAPE level. He intends to study finance, with his primary focus being in actuarial science.

"Nothing is ever handed to you. It took a lot of hard work in trying to achieve balance between training and school. I had to study hard and give it my all in the Scholastic Aptitute Test, popularly known as SAT," Haughton said.

"I definitely feel accomplished in terms of the hard work put in.

I think I am one of the better swimmers for the last four or five years," he recalled, adding "at Howard I'll be able to learn from swimmers outside Jamaica."

Haughton won the 17 and over champion trophy at last week's 2015 Mayberry Investments High Schools/Tertiary Institutions Swimming Championships, after earning four gold and one silver medal.

He was also a member of the 4x100-metre freestyle relay team which took silver at the recent Carifta Swimming championships in Barbados.

Haughton, who learnt to swim at age seven, parlayed his hobby into national representation.

His idol is national swimming champion Alia Atkinson.

"No matter who you are, or where you come from, once you put in the work, everything is possible," he said.

"I am ready for the challenges ahead, he noted, adding he is determined to swim into greatness."

Haughton said the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo is his ultimate goal.