Modern Athlete Magazine Issue 113, December 2018 | Page 10

ROAD RUNNING
The
USA
Effect
Annie wins the Totalsports
Women’s 10km in Cape Town
Annie Bothma is just one of many young South African runners to win an athletics scholarship in recent years to study in
the USA. Now back in SA, she is making the most of her experience – and increased speed and strength – in the local road
running scene. We chatted to her and a number of other scholarship athletes about their US experience. – BY SEAN FALCONER
Kyla completed a Business Management degree at Coastal Carolina University (CCU) from 2013 to 2016, then
did her MBA and finished up in December 2017. Her running honours in the USA included winning the Big South
Conference 5000m Indoor title in 2016, and twice finishing in top 20 positions at Regionals.
MA: What made you choose that particular university?
My friend Letitia Saayman, who was also my high school coach’s daughter, was already at Coastal, and Zola Pieterse was also a
volunteer coach. Additionally, the weather was nice, and it was close to the beach, but the most important factor was that I knew
Coach Connie would take great care of me. Later, when Zola Pieterse was appointed as the new head coach, she changed the
whole atmosphere of the team with her soft, but expert approach.
MA: Did you find it hard to acclimatise to your new environment?
We had quite a few South Africans on our team who had been training together for years, and that was really my saving grace. I
was fortunate to have my own sister, Aynslee, alongside me, but I gained three more sisters during my time there, in Letitia, Lisha
van Onselen and Hesmari Coetzee. What really helped settling in was braai days with the Pieterse family, and the traditional rusks
I had to bake nearly every weekend to cheer us up when we missed home.
MA: What was it like competing against top runners from around the world?
There are just so many talented athletes in the NCAA, and it can get really scary, especially before high profile
meets, but then you realise what a massive opportunity it is, and just use that to push harder! A highlight was
winning the Big South Conference Triple Crown in my Freshman (first year), meaning we were Indoor, Outdoor and
Cross Country champions.
MA: Any advice for other athletes in SA who hope to go study in the USA?
There are tons of great universities out there, so do your research and make sure the coach and team are going to
be a great fit, because you will be spending a lot of time with them.
10
ISSUE 113 DECEMBER 2018 / www.modernathlete.co.za
Zola
Scholarship Runner: Kyla van Graan