University of Richmond Athletics
20 Questions with Meghan Hart
01/27/2012 | Women's Track & Field
Editor's Note: Throughout the 2012 indoor and outdoor seasons, we will interview a Spider Track & Field athlete each week and have them answer a set of 20 questions about their lives both in and out of the sport. This week we sit down with sophomore Meghan Hart.
RichmondSpiders.com (RS): What sets Richmond Track & Field apart from other programs?
Meghan Hart (MH): This program has such an outstanding reputation academically, athletically and personally. Honestly, there's not another program that I'd rather be a part of.
RS: Of all your teammates, past and present, from whom have you learned the most and why?
MH: I learned so much from Megan Ney, who graduated two years ago. She was a senior when I came in as a freshman and definitely took me under her wing to help me see my potential and show me how to push through anything. She also dominated all of her events. I still look up to her today.
RS: Do you enjoy the indoor season or outdoor season more? Why?
MH: I definitely enjoy the outdoor season more. I never ran indoor track in high school, so it was outdoor track where I learned to love the sport. And it may sound weird, but there is just something about the smell of the track and the spring season that brings back the best memories.
RS: What kinds of goals have you set for the indoor season, and how are you feeling about your progress towards those goals as we near the season's halfway point?
MH: I am currently just trying to improve with every meet. I am taking it one week at a time and focusing on the smaller parts of my races. Hopefully the smaller parts will then all fall together right in time for the conference meet. I want to medal at A-10s.
RS: As with all heptathletes, you're forced to excel in a variety of events. Which of the seven events in the heptathlon would you say is your favorite?
MH: It's different every meet. Looking back after a heptathlon is over for the day, the event that I got a personal record in or just did really well in seems to be my favorite. If I do poorly in one event, I completely resent it. You have to move on, though, and focus on the next event and how you can redeem yourself. That next event usually becomes my favorite.
RS: Do you have any pre-meet rituals?
MH: I just try to visualize every part of my race from start to finish. I like to be alone before I race so I can do that without any distractions.
RS: What is the strangest thing that you've seen happen during one of your events?
MH: I really wish something strange and memorable would have happened but nothing comes to mind.
RS: If your teammates gave you a superlative, what would it be?
MH: Last year I was given "Most Gullible" by my teammates. I'm not too proud of that one, but I'm going to go ahead and say that it suits me pretty well; only sometimes though!
RS: What is the greatest piece of advice you've ever received in the sport?
MH: Right before a district championship meet in high school, my coach wrote me a letter to get me pumped up. At the bottom he wrote, "Go out there and run your race like you'll never be able to run on a track again." Thinking about that motivates me so much because if I were never able to run or compete again, I'd want to know I gave everything I had in my last race.
RS: Who are your role models both in and out of the sport?
MH: I have two role models, in general, and they are my older brothers. I don't think I would be where I am today athletically or academically without them. I have looked up to them for as long as I can remember and always tried to be like them. I probably brag about them a lot, too.
RS: What is your major and dream job?
MH: My major is psychology, and I would love to be a sports psychologist. I've grown up with sports my entire life and love helping people more than anything, so it would be perfect if I could combine those two passions.
RS: What's been your favorite class on campus? Favorite professor?
MH: One of my favorite classes was Social Psychology, which I took last semester. My favorite professor is Dr. Bagwell.
RS: Where is your favorite spot on campus? Why?
MH: I actually have a secret spot, and I can't give that away. I go there though to get everything off of my mind and think about anything and everything.
RS: What is your favorite pro sports team? Favorite athlete?
MH: My favorite team is definitely the Pittsburgh Steelers. Troy Polamalu is my favorite athlete.
RS: If you could spend the day with anyone, dead or alive, who would it be and why?
MH: I would maybe say Hines Ward because he is always so happy. Even when he misses a catch, he's smiling. I would also love to hear about what he had to do and the sacrifices he's had to make to become a professional athlete.
RS: If you were stranded on a deserted island, what one person and thing would you like to have with you?
MH: There are so many people that I wouldn't mind being stranded on a deserted island with. As long as they could keep me laughing and are fun to talk to, I would be easily entertained. One thing I would like to have with me, though, would be the pillow I've had since seventh grade. I don't have a good night's sleep without it.
RS: If you could be on any TV show or in any movie, what would it be? Why?
MH: I would want to be in "Inside Man", which is a movie about a bank robbery starring Denzel Washington. It's one of my favorites because it's suspenseful and funny, but mainly I would just want to spend quality time with Denzel.
RS: As a runner you can obviously afford to have some culinary guilty pleasures. Anything immediately come to mind as your favorite?
MH: Chocolate. Anything chocolate. Thanks to my mom, I'm a chocoholic.
RS: If you could have the perfect meal prepared for you, what would it be?
MH: I would be content with a simple Thanksgiving feast. I don't think I could have a perfect meal because I love everything. So, if I just had a bunch of different choices, I would be set.
RS: What's something interesting about you that most people don't know?
MH: The summer before fifth grade a limousine picked my family and me up from my house and took us into New York City to be on "Good Morning America". Only my mom, dad and brother were on air, so I had to stay behind the scenes. It was also eight days before September 11th.
Players Mentioned
