Madelyn Moore is taking her talents to the NCAA.

The 17-year-old has signed a letter of intent to attend the University of Northern Colorado on a full scholarship and cannot wait to develop her skills at the NCAA Division I college in August.

Moore, who is in her final year at Plymouth College in England, turned down several offers from other universities after being convinced by Lisa Ebeling, the UNC head coach, that it was a perfect fit.

“When I spoke with Lisa we got on really well from the start,” Moore said.

“She had come from the Alabama swim team and built that up over seven years to what is today.

“She ended up moving to Colorado because they are investing a lot of money into their swim programme and really want to build that programme up. I definitely thought that would be a great school to go to.”

Ebeling spent four seasons at the University of Alabama, in helping to coach both programmes and was the recruiting co-ordinator for the women’s team before taking over head coaching duties of UNC’s women’s swimming and diving programme in 2016.

“It’s a Division I school, but they are trying to build it up because in the past it hasn’t been that great,” Moore added. “She [Ebeling] told me how much of an improvement they have made in the year of her being there.

Ebeling is delighted to have Moore join the college and has high expectations for the multiple Carifta Games medal-winner.

“We are incredibly excited to get Maddy on board,” Ebeling said. “Her enthusiastic personality, her confidence and her motivation to be the best are contagious.”

Moore hopes to compete for Bermuda at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and believes Ebeling can help her to achieve her objective.

“That’s one of the things that really excited me when I was talking to Lisa,” said Moore, who specialises in the 50 and 100 metres freestyle. “She said she really believes she can get me to the 2020 Olympics and that made me instantly love her.”

Moore underlined her potential after establishing a Bermuda record and personal-best time of 26.10sec in the 50 at the English Schools Swimming Association National Relay Championship at the London Aquatics Centre in November.

“I don’t really show too much emotion after a race but after seeing that time, I actually felt so good because of the amount of work I put out this season,” she said.