Since coming to MSU in 2014, Mia Meydrich has been a steady contributor for the Bulldogs both in track & field and cross country.
Photo by: Caleb Garner
Know Your Bulldog: Mia Meydrich
November 06, 2018 | Cross Country
by Caleb Garner, Graduate Assistant/Communications
The following feature story can be found in the Nov. 3 Mississippi State Football Game Program.
Mississippi State senior cross country student-athlete Mia Meydrich has never been one to shy away from being different than the status quo.
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A native of New Orleans, Louisiana, Meydrich attributes the Crescent City for shaping her into the unique person she is today.
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"It taught me how to be more creative, be myself and be comfortable in my own skin—that's why I love New Orleans so much," Meydrich said. "It taught me how to embrace who I am and not be ashamed of it, even if I don't always fit in. It's fun being unique, even if people look at you funny."
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Before arriving at Mississippi State, Meydrich originally thought she was going to play college soccer. However, that all began to change when her high school's track and field coach noticed her potential as a distance runner.
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"At one of my [soccer] practices during my freshman year, we had ran diagonals of the soccer field," Meydrich said. "I remembered doing it and having a smile on my face. I didn't even know cross country was a sport at the time, but the high school coach came up to me and said, 'You're [running].' I told her, 'No, I'm a soccer player, but I'll do track.' From there, it slowly developed and in my junior year I started getting more letters from colleges for running than for soccer."
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As she began to ponder her next move, one school stood out to her above all others—MSU.
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"I remember everyone being so friendly--the hospitality was amazing," Meydrich said. "[MSU cross country] Coach [Houston] Franks saw something in me that no one else did, because I wasn't that great of a runner in high school. He took a 5:12 miler and was able to shave 30 seconds off. The fact that he saw something that no one else did is what really made me realize that I needed to come here."
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That decision proved to be the right one, as Meydrich has become a consistent standout on the course and track for the Bulldogs. That path to success has not been without its adversity, as she has bounced back stronger, not once, but twice from injury to contribute to MSU's success.
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"[My injuries] really showed me that, when the going gets tough, you can either pull up your bootstraps and keep working, or you can give up," Meydrich said. "It showed me that hard work and perseverance is always going to be the harder road to go down, but it's the more rewarding path. I'm very thankful for everything I've experienced in my college career, good and bad, just because it has made me more of a well-rounded person."
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The following feature story can be found in the Nov. 3 Mississippi State Football Game Program.
Mississippi State senior cross country student-athlete Mia Meydrich has never been one to shy away from being different than the status quo.
Â
A native of New Orleans, Louisiana, Meydrich attributes the Crescent City for shaping her into the unique person she is today.
Â
"It taught me how to be more creative, be myself and be comfortable in my own skin—that's why I love New Orleans so much," Meydrich said. "It taught me how to embrace who I am and not be ashamed of it, even if I don't always fit in. It's fun being unique, even if people look at you funny."
Â
Before arriving at Mississippi State, Meydrich originally thought she was going to play college soccer. However, that all began to change when her high school's track and field coach noticed her potential as a distance runner.
Â
"At one of my [soccer] practices during my freshman year, we had ran diagonals of the soccer field," Meydrich said. "I remembered doing it and having a smile on my face. I didn't even know cross country was a sport at the time, but the high school coach came up to me and said, 'You're [running].' I told her, 'No, I'm a soccer player, but I'll do track.' From there, it slowly developed and in my junior year I started getting more letters from colleges for running than for soccer."
Â
As she began to ponder her next move, one school stood out to her above all others—MSU.
Â
"I remember everyone being so friendly--the hospitality was amazing," Meydrich said. "[MSU cross country] Coach [Houston] Franks saw something in me that no one else did, because I wasn't that great of a runner in high school. He took a 5:12 miler and was able to shave 30 seconds off. The fact that he saw something that no one else did is what really made me realize that I needed to come here."
Â
That decision proved to be the right one, as Meydrich has become a consistent standout on the course and track for the Bulldogs. That path to success has not been without its adversity, as she has bounced back stronger, not once, but twice from injury to contribute to MSU's success.
Â
"[My injuries] really showed me that, when the going gets tough, you can either pull up your bootstraps and keep working, or you can give up," Meydrich said. "It showed me that hard work and perseverance is always going to be the harder road to go down, but it's the more rewarding path. I'm very thankful for everything I've experienced in my college career, good and bad, just because it has made me more of a well-rounded person."
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/ Cross Country
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