Student-Athlete Check In: Meghan Reese – Penn State Field Hockey
As the events of early March unfolded and changed all over the country, Penn State student-athletes found themselves facing uncertainty and transition in their academic and athletic realities.
The Penn State field hockey team, 2019 Big Ten Tournament finalists, were two months into the Spring semester when the COVID-19 pandemic erupted. As the entire Penn State family works for ways to stay connected, we can check in with some members of head coach Char Morett-Curtiss' field hockey team to get some insight into how typical student-athletes reacted, adjusted and began the process of forging ahead in our current circumstance.
Today we check in with sophomore Megan Reese. Reese has played in 36 games during her first two seasons as a Nittany Lion. She had a goal and two assists in 16 games as a true freshman. Last year, she started all 20 games and had seven points off three goals and an assist, giving her 11 career points off four goals and three assists.
Meghan took the time to answer some questions from GoPSUsports and offers some good insight into the daily life of a Nittany Lion during this time:
GoPSU: What was your first reaction when you heard that spring break had turned in to online learning?
Meghan: "Even though Spring Break went way too fast and I was not ready to go back, I was sad because I realized how long it would be until we were back. I knew that we would be missing scrimmages, classes would be online, and I would be stuck inside."
GoPSU: How have you been adapting to online learning?
Meghan: "It was tough at first, I wasn't sure if I would be able to manage all of my classes while working at home with everyone from my family being at home as well. But I made a schedule for what I wanted my days to look like to make sure I was staying on top of my course work, training, and taking time to relax and enjoy being at home again. All of my professors have been really understanding and accommodating as we are all trying to work through this difficult time and trying to get back to a somewhat normal course workload and schedule"
GoPSU: Athletes are by nature focused on staying healthy, what have you been doing to keep fit, active and energized?
Meghan: "To keep fit I have been using an online fitness app! I can do everything from meditation and yoga to HITT workouts and bootcamp training. I have been focusing on my running form a lot too, during the workouts I try to think about maintaining good form and listening to my body while running. To keep energized while working on assignments and studying it is nice to have the ability to take breaks and cook food to eat, which is a plus compared to being back at State living in the dorms. Of course, coffee is also a must"
GoPSU: What has your family been doing together during this extended period of social distancing? Any family activities, etc.?
Meghan: "As a family we have been playing board games and watching movies. My sisters and I also are having fun making TikToks. We are also just enjoying this 'forced' time together. I was able to celebrate my birthday at home and will be home for my younger sisters' birthday too. We also went through some baby pictures the other day which is always super fun."
GoPSU: What is the one thing you miss most right now about not being back at Penn State?
Meghan: "I miss the team and playing field hockey the most. I was so excited to play again in our scrimmages this Spring to see all our hard work pay off. But the hardest part is not being able to see everyone. I think it is hard too because I was not expecting this to happen, so I didn't prepare myself."
GoPSU: How have you been keeping in contact with your teammates?
Meghan: "Using social media like snapchat and iMessage."
GoPSU: What other things have you done during this time away from Happy Valley?
Meghan: "I've been making friendship bracelets; I'm thinking about training for a half-marathon and I'm trying to solve a Rubik's cube!"
