Hey, I’m Meghan and this is a little about me...
Dancing
I first started dancing at the age of 4 and did ballet, tap and modern. The first dance I performed on stage was ballet in a Cinderella production in which I wore a tutu! I joined Birchmoor Dancing School when I was 7 and continued doing tap and modern up untiI I was 15 (I dropped the ballet as I just wasn’t ever graceful enough) I competed in dance festivals up until then where I won many medals for my various dances. (Me in my tutu!).
Athletics – Early Years
I started athletics when I was 10 in year 2000. I entered a competition to get a year’s free membership at my local track in Tamworth, this involved doing standing long jump and triple jump, and I won! So, I joined the club and was put in the beginners group with Coach Andy Day. I always enjoyed running so competed in the 75m, 150m and long jump. Times were never important in those days - I just loved to run and win.
I entered my first National Championships when I was 13 - the U15 Championships in Sheffield. I made it through the heats of the events but not to the finals. This was the point where I decided to take it more seriously so moved to coach Trevor Marsay from Birchfield Harriers.
(Me with Caryl Granville after my NR in 300mH).
The following year I started combined events in which I won the English Schools Championships and was selected for the England Schools Team in Glasgow. This was my first taste of International Competition. I continued with combined events until 2008, this is an event which I always loved and would have another go given the chance!
As an U17 I was adamant I was going to be a triple jumper, however by chance I did a 300m hurdlers (which went quite well), and that year I came 2nd at English Schools t behind Perri Shakes Drayton (where she broke the national record )– at this point I didn’t appreciate how fast the times were. In 2006 I was thrilled to break the national UK record with a time of 41.41.
My greatest achievements so far have been my first international medal which I got in the 4x400m relay in the European Junior Championships in 2007. I was on the lead leg, followed by Hayley Jones, Joey Duck and Perri Shakes-Drayton.
I followed this medal up with my own individual bronze in the 400m hurdles at the World Junior Championships the following year in Poland. My senior debut was the Commonwealth Games Delhi - 2010 where we won a Silver medal in the 4 x 400m relay. This was a great experience getting to be on a team alongside the top England athletes. This has given me a taste for senior international competition.
I went to Polesworth High school to study my GCSE’s and continued studying Maths, Geography and PE for my A levels, where I achieved AAB. My school was always very supportive of my athletics commitments and allowed me certain afternoons and days off for training and competition.
I currently study Mathematics and Sport Science at Loughborough University, I am very fortunate to be a 2012 scholar.
My coach is Nick Dakin. He is the Director of Coaching at Loughborough University. He sets my programme which includes weights, running sessions, hurdling, circuits, plyometrics, core and cardio work. Nick also coaches current GB athletes Martyn Rooney, Nathan Woodward and Chris Clarke. Formerly he has coached those such as David Gillick and Chris Rawlinson.
| Event | Personal Best | Date | Meeting |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60m | 7.54 | March 2009 | Birmingham Games |
| 100m | 11.64 | August 2007 | Tamworth Games |
| 200m | 23.56 | July 2011 | La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland |
| 300m | 39.74 | August 2006 | Tamworth Games |
| 400m | 53.84 indoor | March 2008 | NIA U20 National Champs |
| 400m | 52.79 | July 2011 | La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland |
| 800m | 2.15.83 | July 2008 | Ashford U20/U23 International |
| 60h | 8.60i | March 2008 | NIA U20 National Champs |
| 100h | 13.75 | August 2009 | UKWL Hendon |
| 300h | 41.41 | August 2006 | U17 National Champs Birmingham |
| 400h | 55.69 | 16th July 2011 | European U23 Championships, Ostrava |
| 75m | 9.95 | August 2002 | Tamworth Games |
| 150m | 19.6 | August 2002 | Tamworth Games |
| Heptathlon | 5291 | July 2008 | Ashford U20/U23 International |
| Pentathlon | 3908 | January 2008 | Sheffield U20 Championships |
| High Jump | 1.66 | ||
| Long Jump | 5.96 | ||
| Shot Putt | 9.96 | ||
| Javelin | 30.87 |
