University of Miami Athletics

Meghan Leydecker

Class

Junior

Hometown

Orchard Park, N.Y.

High School

Nardin Academy HS

At Miami: Two-year letter winner…served as a coxswain in 2004-05…named to the 2004-05 ACC All-Academic team…gold medalist in the championship four at the Head of the Creek…bronze medalist in the open eight at the Head of the Hooch…claimed a victory over UCF in the Hurricane Invitational…gold medalist in the junior varsity four at the FIRA State Championships…bronze medalist in the varsity four at the ACC Championships…claimed a victory over Duke in the varsity four at Indian Creek…won the C-Final of the varsity four at Central Sprints…competed with the Novice eight in 2003-04…Gold medalist at both the 2003 Head of the Chattahoochee Regatta and the 2004 FIRA State Championships …Silver medalist at the 2004 BIG EAST Championships…placed fifth at the 2004 Lexus Central/Southern Sprints…majoring in criminology. Nardin Academy: Coached by John Cartus and Alleen McNamara in high school and Frank Becht in club rowing…earned Nardin Crew Coaches’ Award…2002 New York State Scholastic Champion and fifth place at Stotesbury Cup Regatta with the Junior 8+…Bronze medalist at the 2001 Canadian Schoolboys with the Junior 4+…2000 New York State Scholastic Champion with the Freshman 8+…also placed 24th 2002 Country Club Golf singles and placed fifth in 2001 Country Club Tennis doubles.

Q&A

1. Interests and hobbies outside of Rowing: Skiing, playing tennis, golfing, playing softball, watching sports, watching movies.

2. List any academic honors you’ve won or class/club offices held: Merit Roll(1999-2003),Graduated New York State Regents with honors, Daughters of the Heart of Mary Scholar.

3. Why did you choose the University of Miami? I chose the University of Miami because of its location, great academics, and its comfortable atmosphere.

4. What was your first impression of Miami? My first impression was that I thought the campus was beautiful, and the students were very laid back.

5. Who is your favorite athlete, Why? My favorite athlete is Derek Jeter, the shortstop for the New York Yankees. Although he is no longer considered one of the top players in the game, his ability to lead and inspire his teammates is very motivating. Also, he has given back to the community by setting up his own foundation to keep kids off the streets and drug-free.

6. Why did you start rowing? When I first started coxing, I was 4’10 with a loud mouth. I had played tons of sports such as ski racing and softball, but I was too small to really get far with any of them.When I started at my high school I learned about crew and decided it really fit my interests.I signed up for the team, and the rest is history.

7. When did you start rowing? I started rowing when I was 13,and a freshman in high school.

8. What challenges did/do you face as a novice rower? The biggest challenge I faced as a novice rower was having to compete for a spot in the top boat. It took a while, but eventually, I figured out how I could prove my self as a coxwain, and I did it .

9. What changes have you recently made to improve your rowing technique? I, like all coxswains, have to adjust to my different crews. Each group of people has rowed differently together, so I’ve had altered the way I’ve coxied each boat I have been in.

10. What is your best rowing memory? My best and worst rowing memory was coming in fifth place at Statesbury in 2002. Although it was the most devastating loss of my life it reminded me of why I love crew. It taught me that the bond shared between teammates can be more important than winning. Sometimes, that is.

11. Would you ever consider rowing as a “life sport”? I’ve met too many 70 year old women who row singles on sunday mornings to say no to this. However I will admit that it is much more, because of expenses and convenience, to row your entire life than it is to golf.

12. Any superstitions before regattas? My boat mates and I were extremely superstitions. Before every race, we said the same prayer in three different languages,and listen to the same songs, wore the same things (no matter what the temperature was outside) and did the same warmup.

13. What advice would you give young people? To do something new everyday.

14. What did you do this summer? I played tennis help coach the Junior B program to my club, went to NYC, swam, watched a lot of TV, and went to concerts.

15. What are your goals at Miami both in sports and outside sports? In sports I want to win a national and conference title. In academics, I want to graduate with honors and obtain skills to secure a career.