VYPE: You’re already a school record-holder in the shot put with two seasons left in your career. What is there left to accomplish?
Kat Meacham: The only thing better than one state championship is multiple state championships. I’m never satisfied with what I’ve done in the past. The main competitor I have is myself.
VYPE: You won state in the discus as a freshman but came in third your sophomore year. What was the difference between your first and second trip to state?
KM: My freshman season. I only focused on one event. My sophomore season, I didn’t only add shot to the mix, our golf team qualified for state as well. I had a busy first week in May: 63 holes of golf in the state golf tournament and practice rounds and two state track events. Our golf team finished eighth, and I was runner up in shot with a 10-foot improvement for the season.
VYPE: What did you learn from last spring and how have you implemented it into your training?
KM: I spent the off-season working on the technical aspects of both the shot and discus. I was in the weight room five days a week and working on drills or throwing six days a week. Indoor season I saw a 5-foot increase from my sophomore indoor shot PR. I finished third at the Oklahoma High School Indoor Championships. I hope to carry forward those improvements.
VYPE: On top of track and golf, you play softball. Is it ever difficult to manage your time?
KM: I love to stay busy, but in order to be effective I have to plan out my schedule and coordinate with my coaches. Without mom’s guidance I don’t know how I would make it through a day of practice and lifting, along with schoolwork. Somehow there is always a hot dinner whenever I get home.
VYPE: What is the biggest benefit of playing multiple sports?
KM: Dad says ‘it keeps me from having time to worry about boys.” In a way, I agree. I love to stay busy and sports is my passion. I can help all of the young athletes in the sports I know how to play.
VYPE: As a member of NHS, how important is it to put student before athlete?
KM: Athletics will only last so long. The academic side will be imperative to my success.
VYPE: What are your future plans?
KM: I want to attend college and compete as a thrower. I plan to pursue a degree in business and finance.
VYPE: What advice has a coach given you that has stuck with you?
KM: ‘I don’t compete with others, I compete with my own history.’ My throwing coach knew this quote and we have put it on the back of all the state shirts. It’s important that we do our best when we go to track meets and our own history is our competition. The goal is to do better every track meet.
VYPE: What’s your favorite book you’ve read in the last year?
KM: Little Women by Louisa May Alcott. I have two older sisters so our house is always full of my friends and teammates. Growing up it would be the same with my sisters’ friends and teammates. This book feels very close to home when it comes to that.
