Meyer reaps benefits of lifetime of athletic investments as senior year begins

Tackling life as a student athlete, triple sport player Hank Meyer is stepping up to the plate against his senior year as a Wildcat. Although he has navigated his way through football, baseball, and swim, Meyer never has forgotten to balance his academic and athletic life. 

Meyer always knew sports were going to play a big role in his life, considering the expectation his family set. Regardless, he never had any complaints as he used sports as an outlet to enjoy himself.

“My parents wanted me to get into sports at an early age,” he said. “I’ve just always loved sports and knew I was going to participate in them when I was older.”

Despite having layers of strenuous sports for which to train, Meyer always finds time to dabble in other school activities. 

“I’m always looking forward to going to school events, like the dances and Snowblast,” he said. “In the future, I’m looking forward to cheering on other sports.”

When not training for a sport or attending an event, Meyer always finds other ways to keep himself busy.  Outside of school, he feels socializing and learning new skills that aren’t sports are a great way to busy himself.

“In my free time I enjoy hanging out with my friends and going to McDonald’s,” he said. “Right now, I’m even learning the recorder.”

Ever since he became involved in athletics, Meyer has taken a liking to football and always finds himself recalling moments in which he wholeheartedly enjoyed himself out on the field.

“I remember my first varsity touchdown,” he said. “Throwing it to Jeevan- it was a really cool experience overall.”

Meyer credits sports for having heavily influenced his life and changed it for the better, both emotionally and socially.

“Sports have impacted my life by allowing me to meet and have relationships with new people,” he said. “I would say all the friends I have right now, I have shared some type of sport with. The people I spend time with now, I spend time with because of that connection we made through sports.”

However, with all the enjoyment, there has also come a certain expectation. Meyer finds himself in the hot spot as the senior quarterback.

“There are moments where I feel a lot of pressure,” he said. “But you have to get used to it the more you play.”

Other than making friends, Meyer has made connections with staff through sports. Playing football has allowed him to get to know Coach Adam Stuiber, a physical education teacher. Meyer has grown a special bond with him, seeing him as a role model.

“My biggest inspiration would probably be Coach Stuiber because he gives really good advice and he keeps you going,” he said. “Something that motivates me is to not live life with regrets, and that’s what Coach Stuiber taught me.” 

Stuiber has coached Meyer throughout his high school career. He acknowledges Meyer’s physical and personal attributes. 

“Hank’s got a really good head on his shoulders,” he said. “I think he's done a great job of being a great leader and a great motivator to other kids on the team. He’s also done a great job just being a great teammate. He’s working hard everyday, striving to be the best that he can be and getting others to be the best that they can be as well.” 

Meyer has done outstanding things on and off the field. Stuiber believes Meyer’s work is a good reflection of his values. 

“Hank has a background working with the Boys & Girls Club and volunteering with similar groups,” Stuiber said. “I think that goes to show the kind of character Hank has.”

Since suffering from a concussion, Meyer has not been playing as the starting quarterback for the football team. Instead, Chase Brandl has stepped in. Still, Stuiber has high hopes for Meyer.

“He's done everything he possibly can to help Chase and, not only Chase, but himself as well,” Stuiber said. “He's also working on himself and improving himself. Not only on the field, but in the classroom as well. A lot of people tend to just shut down and give up; that's definitely not Hank.”

Known to persevere, when challenged to overcome obstacles, Meyer likes to take it upon himself to put in the work. 

“I just set goals and push myself harder than I need to at times,” he said. 

Besides football, Meyer has had recent success with his position on the baseball team. Last season, he was positioned as catcher and was coached by Tony Gerharz on the varsity team. Gerharz is excited for what he will bring to the new season beginning in March.  

“He was a backup catcher last season and, hopefully, will be a key contributor this spring,” he said. “Hank has a great personality and gets along with everyone.”

Looking back, Meyer feels satisfied and proud of his four-year journey with West. 

“The best thing is seeing the difference of where I am now,” he said. “I’ve grown so much from where I used to be.”

By Makenna Freund

Oshkosh West Index Volume 119 Issue I

October 3, 2022