When you’re a student athlete you are more than just a student and an athlete. Student athletes are leaders for the team, campus and for themselves. They have goals, role models, and relationships like no other.
Gina Meyers can attest to this. Meyers is an Early Childhood Education graduate student from Liverpool, NY, and a four-year member of the Softball team. She encompasses all the aspects of a student athlete.
Comparison between athletes is a huge aspect of sports and it can take a toll on an athlete. There is a famous quote that talks about stealing the joy out of life. “Comparison is the thief of joy” Meyers says this her favorite quote. This simple quote drives her to accomplish her goals on and off the field.
Whenever Meyers carries this around with her each and every day “I even have it tattooed as a constant reminder”
Meyers looks up to Abby Wambach and gathers inspiration from her book Wolfpack
“Our team read her book over the Winter break, it was empowering and inspiring.” said Meyers
Meyers personal goals for this season go deeper than just what is on the surface level. “To get stronger, be an even better teammate, and captain.” said Meyers
Meyers plans on doing this by bringing a strong and determined work ethic. Putting in 110% and making connections with all her teammates. “Working harder in the weight room and doing more outside of practice, making more personal connections with my teammates, maintaining a positive open, and fun atmosphere for the team.” Meyers said.
It is the atmosphere, chemistry, and relationships on a team that truly matter in sports. There are many things to love about Cortland Softball but “it’s the people!” for Meyers. She said how she had made some long-term friends, and she is “honored and grateful to have had the experience to play for this team.” said Meyers
Meyers is seen as a leader, respectable, and dependable, said, her teammates, and she has shown this through her role of being team captain and an upperclassman. “One of my roles as upperclassman is to show the underclassman the ropes in what this program stands for.” Meyers, says.
She is always showing the underclassmen the ropes, during practice, games, team bonding and encouraging them to get involved. “demonstrating drills in practice, to showing them what it means hold the rope, for teammates and being engulfed and involved in the Cortland Softball culture.” said Meyers.
Something Meyers is truly grateful for is her opportunity she has to play this season. “I’m extremely fortunate to have had extra time to enjoy the sport I love and learn as much as I can.” Meyers said this along with advice for underclassman.
“Don’t take it for granted… don’t take teammates, practices, learning opportunities, or anything for granted, because when it’s done, it’s done, and there’s no getting it back.” Meyers said
The team’s mantra Above the Line isn’t just used when Meyers is around softball. She has implemented into her everyday life to go above and beyond. “To me this means giving 110%, in everything you do.”