FEATURED SENIOR ATHLETE: Meredith Ball, Greencastle

Meredith is a senior at Greencastle and participates in two sports, cross country and swimming.

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Banner Graphic: How important are sports to you, and what have you learned from them?

Meredith Ball: “Sports are, and have always been, a huge part of who I am. Even from a young age, I’ve always been involved in some kind of athletic activity. And, of course I know a lot about a variety of sports by watching them on TV, but I’ve also learned a lot about life through the sports that I’ve participated in. Obviously, I’ve learned how to improve in my sports, but also I’ve learned how to be a leader and to acknowledge when there might be a more fitting leader, something that does not generally come easily to me.”

BG: Talk about your sports.

MB: “So, my main sport is definitely swimming. I mainly participated in cross country to get my lungs in shape for swim. That being said, I am so grateful I participated in cross country. It involves a lot of mental toughness, especially because it’s just running. My coach, Coach Hammett, split the workouts up into different types of training, but at the end of the day, it’s still just running, and to be perfectly honest, I am not a huge fan of running. Swimming, however, I enjoy thoroughly. I love everything about it and if I could continue to swim for the rest of my life, I would. The swim season stretches from October to early February, so it was a long season and, believe me, not a moment was spent idle. There was, of course, swimming, but also tons of weight-lifting, and other strengthening activities done out of the water. Every second I spent at swim practice or at swim meets were seconds well-enjoyed and I am so proud of all that I have been able to accomplish in these four years.”

BG: What’s the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you in sports?

MB: “There is an event in swim called the 500 yard freestyle. Essentially it is 20 laps in the pool and it is the longest event on the lineup. I didn’t have to swim it too often, but not once, but twice while I was swimming it, my cap came clean off my head. I had to doggy paddle out to the middle of the pool and grab my cap after I finished my race. It was very humbling.”

BG: What does your game day routine look like?

MB: “There is really nothing glamorous for either cross country or swim. It’s mainly carb-loading the day before, getting lots of sleep and drinking lots of water.”

BG: Do you have any favorite college/pro sports teams or athletes you follow?

MB: “Yes I have quite a few. My mother’s side of the family is from Wisconsin, so I am a big Green Bay Packers fan. However, I enjoy watching any NFL team play; I just like watching football. One of my favorite players, though, is Isiah Pacheco on the Chiefs. I also adore watching the NHL games and the Philadelphia Flyers are my favorite team.”

BG: Cross county at Greencastle has been a weird spot on the girls’ side of things the past few seasons. You’ve been a constant at a time when numbers on the squad simply haven’t been there. What drove you to keep competing during this time?

MB: “Despite being the only, or one of very few girls, I never really felt alone. The boys and girls cross country teams train together, eat together, warm up together, etc. The only place where we are really separated is during actual races. Over the years, I made very good friends with the members of the boys team and I found it quite enjoyable to run alongside them even when there weren’t many other girls or no other girls at all. I am also not one to not do something just because no one else is doing it. My freshman year, I made a commitment to the cross country team and I never found any reason to quit.”

BG: What else do you do at school besides things involving sports?

MB: “I am currently involved in National Honor Society, Student Council, Ambassadors Club, FCA and Spanish Club. Formerly, I have been involved in Latin Club and DECA.”

BG: What do you like to do outside of school and sports?

MB: “I love to be outside, especially when it’s warm. I like to hike, go on walks and rollerblade. I also love shopping and going out to eat with my friends. Really, I like doing anything with friends. Also sleeping and eating.”

BG: What are your favorites in reading, movies, TV and music?

MB: “I don’t have a favorite book, but I love reading fantasy. I am currently working my way through the ‘Lord of the Rings’ series, and it is definitely on my favorites list. My favorite movies include ‘Pretty Woman,’ ‘Star Wars’ Ep. 1-6, ‘Avatar’ 1&2 and ‘Die Hard.’ I love watching shows like ‘The Simpsons,’ ‘Futurama’ and ‘Rick and Morty.’ When it comes to music, I like a bit of everything, however anything I can dance to is my kind of music.”

BG: Are you a person who wants to watch TV shows and movies or stream something from YouTube, Twitch, TikTok etc. or do something else with your free time?

MB: “When I have a few minutes of spare time, I enjoy pulling up a YouTube video or checking my ESPN app for anything I might want to watch”

BG: What is something you have never done before that you would like to do someday?

MB: “I really want to go skydiving or wingsuit flying someday. Bungee jumping would also be acceptable.”

BG: What is your biggest fear?

MB: “Being buried alive.”

BG: You’ve been placed in charge of making dinner. What’s on the menu?

MB: “I am getting in my car, driving to Avon, getting Raising Cane’s takeout, bringing it home and serving it on my own dishes so nobody suspects a thing. I can’t cook.”

BG: Do you have any pets?

MB: “Yes. I have four pets: a border collie named Darwin, a mutt named Nugget, and two cats named Lucky and Cody respectively.”

BG: If your house were on fire, all living things were already out and you have your keys, cell phone, wallet/purse etc., what is one thing you would go back and get?

MB: “Every year of high school, I’ve put together a shoebox full of memories made during that year. These memories include notes, ribbons, and any other knick knacks I’ve accumulated. Those boxes mean a lot to me so I would definitely save them from my burning house.”

BG: A family member has hit the lottery. After everything is paid off and money is set away for the future, you’ve been asked to buy something you have always wanted to get. What are you asking for?

MB: “I would 100% blow it on an Audi R8 Spyder.”

BG: If you were to describe your personality in one word, what would that word be and why?

MB: “I feel so weird saying this, but I would say radiant or something like that. I feel like I have such an intense enjoyment for life. I am a very happy person with lots of energy and enthusiasm. I hope above all else that my joy rubs off on the people around me and makes their lives a little brighter.”

BG: What has been your favorite place to visit?

MB: “I don’t have a favorite. My top picks are, Universal Studios in Orlando, Siesta Key in Florida, The Grand Canyon, Arches National Park, Antelope Canyon and Mesa Verde National Park.”

BG: What was your favorite school field trip?

MB: “I took a field trip to Indiana University my junior year for Spanish Club. That was the only field trip that I’ve taken in high school and it was fun to see IU’s campus and learn more about Spanish culture.”

BG: How important is support from your family and classmates to your success?

MB: “It’s always nice to be supported by the people around you. Thankfully, there’s never been a period of my life where I have been hurting for support, but at the end of the day my desire to succeed comes from within myself.”

BG: Describe your overall school experience both academically and athletically.

MB: Challenging at times, but all things worth doing are not always easy. I am happy with where both my academic and athletic journey have led me so far.”

“BG: If your school was to offer a class it currently doesn’t, what would you want to see taught?

MB: “Computer science. Greencastle has a surprising shortage of computer science classes which is detrimental because it is setting current students up for failure. The future is getting more and more advanced and the job market is going to be in serious need of workers fluent in computer science. It is vital to start teaching such subjects to students now so that they can succeed later in a world vastly more technologically advanced than the one we live in now. I did not get that opportunity, but I pray that future students will.”

BG: What are your plans for after high school, and what career are you headed toward?

MB: “I am attending Purdue University to start in the first-year engineering program. I hope to attain a degree in biomedical engineering. After college, I want to become a neural engineer and that might involve graduate school, but I am not certain at this time.”

BG: Is it difficult to keep up with your school work being an athlete?

MB: “Nah, just take a study hall.”

BG: Which particular classes and teachers have helped you the most in high school?

MB: “Oh, there are so many! My freshman year, Biology I with Mr. Kingma helped me realize a passion for biology. Math has never been my favorite or easiest subject, but Mr. Hankee helped me realize that it can be fun. My junior year I took anatomy and physiology with Mrs. Coons which quite literally changed my entire career goals. The class made me love the intricacies of the human body and helped me realize that I wanted to devote my life to making it run a little smoother through biomedical engineering. My senior year, I took AP chemistry and I was lucky enough to have Dr. Hale as my teacher. Although I’m not the biggest fan of chemistry, I would take the class 100 times over again just so I could have Dr. Hale as a teacher again. I’ve never had a teacher so patient and so devoted to every student’s individual success. Also, he’s really, really smart. I’ve learned so much from him and I can’t wait to keep moving forward with chemistry in college.”

BG: In the future, once you’ve established yourself, if you had your choice, would you want to live in the mountains, on the beach or in the neighborhood?

MB: “My dream, however unrealistic, is to live in a fabulous mansion on the beach. In reality, I’m not too picky. I don’t think I would enjoy living in a small town, so I would prefer to live in the city or in the rich suburbs of a city. At the end of the day, I could be living in a box under a bridge and be perfectly happy as long as it’s warm. South Florida is most preferable.”

BG: Do you think high school has gone fast, and are you going to miss it?

MB: “At the present time, I feel as though I’ve been in high school for 20 years. I know I will miss it, though. I’m excited for college but terrified to leave my home. I know it is necessary and I’ll be OK, but high school is all I’ve known for four years, and before that middle school, all of which have been here in Greencastle. I haven’t quite come to terms with what leaving this beautiful town will mean for me.”