Photo by Melane Anderson of Anderson Photographs
Last Friday at the Frostbite Invitational in Landover, Boonsboro junior Meggan Grams set the Washington County indoor record for 1600 meters with her PR performance of 5:07.30. After winning her first state cross country title in the fall despite being her first Maryland State Cross Country Championship appearance in the 2A division, Grams has continued to excel in her first year at Boonsboro High School (spent first two years at Williamsport High School) as her great health and improved fitness has shown early on this indoor season with new personal bests in the 1600 (5:07), 3200 (11:14), and a near new PR in the 800 (2:21). Grams is the daughter of a 5-time Maryland state champion and may challenge her dad's total state title haul from his high school glory days before she graduates next spring as a state title contenders indoors and outdoors in several distances events in 2A along with another full year of 3 seasons starting next fall as a senior. MileSplit Maryland interviewed Grams following her strong first month of indoor races.
Q&A Interview with Boonsboro High School junior distance runner Meggan Grams
MileSplit Maryland: How did you first get started running?
Meggan Grams: My dad was a 5 time state champion in Maryland, so when me and my brothers were little, he put us in Middletown Night Striders and that's where it all began.
MileSplit Maryland: Having a former state champion runner for a dad, what influence or impact has he made on you as you have developed and improved into a state runner yourself?
Grams: It's great to have a father that was a runner. If I have questions I can always ask him, but he lets me do my own thing when it comes to my race because he wants me to make my own mistake and my own ways, but he does give me pointers for my races and we go over my mistakes so I can try to improve them.
MileSplit Maryland: You have started off your indoor season strong running PR's for the 1600 (5:07) & 3200 (11:14). What do you attribute to this great start to your season?
Grams: Great coaches who believe in me and push me every single day.
MileSplit Maryland: In the fall, you won your first state title individually taking the Maryland 2A state title. What did that victory mean to you in accomplishing such a big goal?
Grams: It meant that anything is possible, I went from being no competition to the top runners to now actually being able to run with them. It was a great experience for me and I just hope others take my hard work and make it there own that anything is possible and no goal is too little if you have people there to help you on the way and you believe in yourself most of all.
MileSplit Maryland: It was actually your first time running in the state cross country meet after failing to qualify as a freshmen and sophomore at Williamsport. Despite being one of the pre-race favorites, was it still nerve wrecking to get over the lack of experience racing in the a big pressure meet like a state cross country championship?
Grams: Every race was nerve wrecking for me, but the state meet was very nerve wrecking for me I wasn't really sure how to run it. I didn't know if I should take the lead or stay back, but once I heard the gun go off I felt my nerves go away and I knew exactly what to do. I was there to prove to all the people who didn't make it that it is possible for them to get there just as it was for me.
MileSplit Maryland: You had to battle through some injuries as a freshmen and sophomore, but seem to have stayed relatively healthy so far through your junior year. What did you learn through those earlier injuries that has allowed you to stay healthy this year?
Grams: I took the summer off for the most part. I ran very little. I still have aches and pains sometimes but my legs are healthier than they have been in the previous years. My coaches have helped me get my weak muscles in my legs stronger and just all around help me become stronger both physically and mentally.
MileSplit Maryland: What caused the change of schools this school gear going from Williamsport to Boonsboro, neighboring schools right?
Grams: I want to be a social worker to help children get out of bad homes, so I made the chose to transfer to Boonsboro for the Japanese program. I want to have a base of every language. So far I have German and some Spanish, so Japanese was the next language I need. So when I enter colleges, I already have a base for most languages I may need for the career path I'm choosing.
MileSplit Maryland: You have lowered your track PR's already down to 5:07 in the 1600 and 11:14 in the 3200. What are you hoping to run in those events by season's end? Flirting with sub 5 and sub 11 eventually?
Grams: My goal is to break 5 minutes in the 1600 and get in the 10 minutes before the indoor season is over. I know you didn't ask this but I also want to get 2:16 in the 800.
MileSplit Maryland: You set the Washington County 1600 record in the 1600 last Friday. What does that mean to you to be the fastest girl ever in the mile from your county?
Grams: It means a lot to me not because I'm the Washington county 1600 record holder now, but it's just so much more than that. Last year I came so close to breaking it, but I just couldn't do it, so breaking the record meant so much more than just breaking it. Sometimes I shock myself when it comes to running.
MileSplit Maryland: What would you say is your greatest strength as a runner and what is area that you would like to improve upon the most?
Grams: Having a strong will to thrive and do the best I can possibility do, but I wouldn't call that a greatest strength. And my form, my coaches and teammates have all been helping me with my form because it's simply ugly. At least it was when cross country started, but it has gotten better and I'm hoping it keeps getting better with my coaches help.
MileSplit Maryland: Getting your first title out of the way this past fall in cross country and certainly being in contention for titles in indoor and outdoor track in 2A along with a senior year yet to come, given any real thought to challenging the old man and his high school state title total of 5?
Grams: My goal is just to beat his mile time. I'm only 39 seconds from it. Might not get it but it's worth a try. Haha.
MileSplit Maryland: What do you love most about running?
Grams: Inspiring other people to run and just give it there all. And all the people I get to meet is just a great experience that the running programs give.
