One of the University of Idaho Track & Field’s biggest stars in the last few years is senior sprinter and jumper Rechelle Meade.
Meade set the school record for the women’s long jump in the indoor season with a leap of 6.17 meters in 2018.
During the 2019 outdoor season, Meade put her name in the school record books once again placing second for the women’s long jump, with a mark of 6.15 meters and fourth in the high jump with a mark of 1.76 meters.
Meade’s mark of 6.17 meters in the long jump and 1.76 meters in the high jump are her career bests in both competitions. Meade looks to break those records in her last season.
“One foot keeps touching the sand early despite me having jumped significantly farther than that,” Meade said. “It’s all about technique at this point in having a more controlled movement throughout the year.”
The Anguilla native has a long list of career achievements going back to her first season with Idaho, where she was awarded freshman of the year in the Big Sky Indoor and Outdoor Championships.
That season, she placed third in the long jump and triple jump in the Big Sky Indoor Championships and second in the Big Sky Outdoor Championships.
Meade’s success started even before coming to the University of Idaho when she competed for the Anguilla national team in high school.
“You’re basically a representative for the whole island and more often than not, I was the only person on the team or one of a team of four or six,” Meade said. “Literally, all eyes are on you and how well you do is a representation of your coach and your family. It’s really nerve-racking, but it was the most fulfilling thing for me, and I was able to see where I ranked amongst everybody else.”
Meade made big strides last season as she finished first in the long jump at the 2019 Big Sky Indoor Championships and second in the 2019 Big Sky Outdoor Championships.
Meade qualified for nationals and competed in the 2019 NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships West Prelims where she placed 35th in the long jump.
Meade continues her successful career with Idaho after closing out the indoor season, finishing third in the long jump with a leap of 6.09 meters at the Tyson Invitational. Meade will compete at the 2020 Big Sky Indoor Championships with a shot to make it to nationals one more time.
“My goal is to come first, break the school record again and to qualify for nationals,” Meade said. “It’s really just to compete with the team, provide as many points as I can so we can move up in our rank.”
As Meade closes out her final season and looks back at the relationships she has made with her teammates and coach Tim Cawley, she offers her advice to current and future UI Track & Field athletes.
“I would say, don’t let your teammates change your perspective toward practice if it’s negative,” Meade said. “You cannot let someone else influence you negatively. At the end of the day, it’s you and the track — no one else is going to help you along. Make up your own shortcomings, focus on you and get it done. “
Armin Mesinovic can be reached at [email protected]