When Scarlett Ferris first dove into a pool in her hometown of Cupar, Scotland, she never imagined that swimming would one day take her across the Atlantic to the Biggest Little City.
Now a 20-year-old junior kinesiology major at the University of Nevada, Ferris balances life as a student-athlete in a new country while staying connected to her roots.
Ferris was nationally ranked sixth in Scotland when Nevada associate head swimming coach and recruiting coordinator Adriana Contreras first discovered her on Instagram.
“(Contreras) actually DM’d me and asked if I had ever thought about training in the States,” Ferris said. “They made me feel super comfortable and supported throughout the entire recruitment process, even before I committed.”
Her recruitment visit sealed the deal.
“Everyone I met was incredibly nice and friendly. Justin, my athletic trainer, and Kendal, my academic advisor, were amazing with helping me work out all the logistics. It made for such a smooth transition,” she said.
Arriving in Reno, however, came with a few surprises.
“Casinos everywhere. Frat culture. American football — and not calling soccer football,” she laughed. “Back home, you could drive across the country in 90 minutes. Here, you can drive eight hours and still be in the same state.”
While she loves her new home, Ferris admits she misses Scotland — especially her dog, the food, and the closeness of community.
“Everything is fresher and seasoned better back home,” she said. “Whenever I’m really missing home, I’ll have some Percy Pigs candy, or some cheesy beans on toast. Don’t knock it until you try it!”
Keeping in touch with family is a daily effort, made harder by the eight-hour time difference.
“I call my mum pretty much every day. FaceTime helps a lot, and most of my family follows Nevada Swim and Dive on Instagram, so they keep up that way too,” she said.
Even with the challenges of life abroad, Ferris takes pride in representing both her country and her university.
“I love bringing part of Scotland over to Reno, and it makes me immensely proud to show how it’s shaped me as a swimmer. The same is true when I go home — I get to showcase the progress I’ve made here.”
She has also brought her culture into the Wolf Pack program in more lighthearted ways.
“Swear words and sarcasm,” she joked. “I’m always confusing people with words like ‘bin’ instead of trash can, ‘boot’ instead of trunk, or ‘costume’ instead of swimsuit,” she said.
But being an international student-athlete hasn’t always been easy.
“People make fun of my accent, or don’t understand it,” she said. “I also have to be careful about my visa and make sure I don’t do anything to put it in danger.”
Ferris has learned to balance academics, athletics, and life far from home through routine and support.
“Once I got into a routine, it was easier. My professors have been amazing and understanding when we travel. My friends here have made Reno feel like home. I’ve made friends for life,” she said.
From her competitive fire, she expresses before and after every race, to her fun and encouraging messages for her teammates. New goals are set this upcoming season for Ferris, as Nevada’s first home meet takes place on Saturday, October 4, at 10 a.m. at Lombardi Pool in Reno, Nevada, against Cal State East Bay.
Last season, Ferris was an injury scratch at the 2025 NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships, after earning her second-straight invite to the national meet, qualifying in the 100 back, 50 free, and 100 fly.
Ferris' 2024-25 season featured her successfully defending her 2024 crown in the 100 back at the Mountain West Championships.