Carolina Romeo, 15, is the youngest athlete in the history of the University of Calgary. Carolina Romeo, 15, is the youngest athlete in the history of the University of Calgary. (David Moll/University of Calgary Athletics)

A 15-year-old field hockey player and gifted student is making history as the youngest athlete ever at the University of Calgary.

Carolina Romeo is joining the Dinos field hockey team this fall and starts studies at the Schulich School of Engineering on Monday.

Romeo, who graduated from the city's Centennial High School in June with a 97 average, was granted the Chancellor's Club scholarship, the U of C's highest academic entrance award.

"I think just like any other student, trying to balance classes and then with athletics, so it will be tough at the beginning for sure to get used to, but it should be a fun year," said Romeo on Thursday about starting university three years earlier than most students.

"It's exciting, that's for sure," said Romeo, acknowledging she is "privileged" to have the chancellor's scholarship cover tuition and other expenses.

Romeo was born in Buenos Aires and moved to Calgary with her parents and three siblings at age eight, with little knowledge of English.

She excelled in school, as well as at field hockey and ringette, often competing with athletes several years older.

Turns 16 after field hockey season opener

Romeo was one of only five athletes in Canada to win a 2008 Agnes Jacks scholarship for strong academics and dedication to ringette. She was also named the most outstanding field hockey player coming out of the Calgary high school system.

Only one other athlete has competed on the varsity level at the age of 15, said the U of C. Bruce Firestone, who became the founder of the NHL's Ottawa Senators, played soccer for the McGill University Redmen as a 15-year-old in 1967.

"I'm very proud to have Carolina, as are her teammates," said Dinos coach Jenn Swagar in a news release. "She is as highly athletic as she is excellent with her academics. Judging by recent fitness testing, even at her young age, her athleticism ranks at the top of the group."

Romeo and the Dinos open the field hockey season on Sept. 13; she turns 16 the next day.