SWIMMING sensation Sophie Drake will soon be swapping Corringham for Florida.

The 18-year-old, who swam at the European Junior Championships two years ago, has been offered an academic/sports scholarship at Daytona State College.

But she has mixed feelings about moving to America.

“I am really excited about going out there. But at the same time I am really scared,” said Drake, who currently trains at Blackshots pool in Grays and at the Basildon Sporting Village.

“I am going to a place where I have no family or friends to comfort me and keep me happy.

“But I am looking forward to going and making a whole load of new friends.

“I also can’t wait to be out of the old English weather and feel like this is the start of a new and massive adventure. I am more than glad to be going and look forward to what America has for me.”

Drake’s opportunity to move came when a representative from Sporting Chance USA came to the South Essex College she attends in Southend.

Drake then applied to go through a website before finalising an initial two-year scholarship.

After that she has the opportunity to go on to university for a further four years.

“I study as well as swim but each term I only have around 27 hours of lessons,” said Drake.

“The rest is spent on training, gym work and of course revision and coursework.”

Drake has previously competed abroad internationally in France, Luxembourg and Geneva. And the Thurrock swimmer holds a number of records, one of which has stood for 14 years.

However, she is still keen to improve in a bid to earn more honours.

“I hope in the long run of being able to swim at the 2016 Olympics or even being able to qualify for the Commonwealth Games as well as the European Championships,” said Drake.

“Also I hope going to America will help me develop my strokes and also my knowledge of the sport so I can better my personal bests and become stronger a