A TEENAGER is making a splash both in and out of the pool.

Bolton School sixth-former Theodore “Teddy” Pender has won a place at an American university to continue his academic studies — and his swimming.

Teddy, who swims with Bolton Metro, took part in the Irish National Short Course Swimming Championships in November and came away with a silver medal in the Men’s 50 Metre Breaststroke.

It was his swimming which helped secure a college financial help package.

Teddy is planning to major in mathematics at Bates College in Lewiston, Maine, and will join the Bates College Bobcats.

The teenager says he wanted to study in America because students are able to concentrate on their academia and athletics, which they cannot in the UK.

Teddy, from Wigan, will be following in the footsteps of his brother Patrick who is studying at Harvard. He said: “I’m missing him at the moment.

“I’m really excited as Bates College is one of the top liberal arts schools in the country.

“It’s a really great environment for me to excel in academics and athletics.”