By Jadon Frank

The return of Meghan Meyer to the Briercrest basketball team this season has added stability and confidence to a young team that was only returning three student-athletes from the 2011-12 team.

The Abbotsford native’s reason for being at Briercrest has changed since she was a rookie during the 2010-11 season.

“I originally came to play college basketball, but I decided to come back because of all the amazing people and community I received during my first year,” Meyer explained. “After I decided not to come back to Briercrest I went to a local college. I forgot how fortunate I was to be going to a Christian college surrounded by people who always try to develop your faith. I was missing the spiritual component and I was missing the community life as well. Also, it was weird not to be a part of a team. I definitely needed that year off to go to local college, and to go on a mission’s trip to Haiti to realize how fortunate I was to be going to Briercrest. After the year ended I couldn’t wait to go back to Briercrest and be part of a life-changing program and be part of a community that would help me mature in my faith even more.”

Meyer has appreciated the unique characteristics of playing for a Briercrest team.

“My team is amazing! We are so close to each other, and always have fun together as well,” the 5’ 6” shooting guard explained. “It’s incredible to be a part of a team where everyone is dedicated to the same things. Obviously, we want to do well as a team and win as much as we can, but more importantly we are all committed to developing our faith in the Lord. It is such a blessing to be able to pray before and after games and practices, and it’s so amazing to be able to make such close friends with people who have the same values. I am definitely very fortunate to be a part of an amazing program.”

Head coach Chad Romanuk has appreciated the intangibles that Meyer brings every day at practice and games.

“Meghan Meyer has amazing passion for the game, and an eagerness and willingness to become a better player; a drive that has enabled her to excel in her ability as a shooter,” Romanuk explained. “Meghan has turned into an amazing shooter, the highest three-point percentage on our team at around 35%.  Her shooting range extends the defense and opens up driving lanes for her teammates.  As a smaller guard in the league, she is a very good rebounder. Meghan is someone who leads by example, she is one of the hardest workers on our team, she is the type of person that her teammates look at and are inspired to follow.  I am excited that she has come back to Briercrest, after taking a year off, to play for me. “

Meyer explained how her work ethic was built into her from a young age.

“Ever since I was little my parents always stressed the importance of a good work ethic,” the business administration student said. “I am so thankful that this was a skill I learned very early on because it has helped shape my athletic life and pretty much my life in general. Without a good work ethic you will never be able to reach your maximum potential or be as reliable. It doesn’t matter about the amount of success you receive or how good you are at something unless you worked as hard as you possibly could. For my team, I want to work as hard as I can in order to maximize our chances of winning. I believe in our team, and I am completely bought into the program, but without hard-work or putting time in, we won’t succeed.”

This work ethic is important in the goals that Meyer has during her time at Briercrest.

“As an athlete, I just want to work as hard as I possibly can to be the best player I can be,” Meyer explained. “That does not necessarily mean being the top scorer or having the best stats. I want to be known as the hardest worker, and I want to contribute to my team by always working hard on defense, and never giving up. If at the end of the day I can help encourage my team and have the best work ethic I will have reached my goals as an athlete. As a student, I want to learn as much as I can so I can apply it to my future career. As long as I am always on top of assignments, and get at least a 3.0 in all my classes, I will be happy with my progress and goals.”

When Meyer’s time at Briercrest draws to a close she has some plans in mind.

“After Briercrest, I am going to go into my family business,” she explained. “I would love to work in the human resources department and utilize the skills that I have learned in the business program. But, if I was able to do anything I wanted I would have loved to be a personal trainer and help people achieve their goals. There is nothing more satisfying than helping someone overcomes his or her biggest obstacles.”