Mayo chooses college - Star sprinter will attend Texas A&M

A day after she returned from collecting USA Track and Field's highest honor for a youth athlete, Southeast Raleigh High senior sprinter Gabby Mayo made her college choice official.

Mayo said Monday that she had accepted an athletics scholarship to attend Texas A&M next fall.

"I feel like I'm finishing up my year really strong," said Mayo, who traveled with her family to Indianapolis this past weekend to accept USATF's Youth Athlete of the Year award.

Mayo, who wants to become a pediatrician, made her choice after taking official visits to Southern California and Texas A&M. She said she chose the Aggies because the coaching staff made her feel comfortable.

She also liked the warm climate of Texas.

Sandra Mayo said the school was a good fit for her daughter because the coaches have expertise in the sprint and hurdle events. She also said the school offered strong academic programs.

Mayo, a multiple state champion and state record-holder, is preparing for the indoor season.

She had a tremendous indoor and outdoor track campaigns as a junior, securing national titles and winning gold and silver medals at the IAAF World Junior Championships in August in China.

Mayo said she wants to surpass all of her 2006 accomplishments in the new year.

"I'm excited because I want to see how much I will improve," she said.