BY CORY ISENBERG
cisenberg@tribdem.com
SIDMAN —
When it comes to her athletic achievements, Megan Gould’s small stature has never held her back.
In fact, the petite Forest Hills athlete has been a ferocious competitor on the soccer field, the basketball court, the softball diamond and on the track.
The Rangers senior signed a letter of intent on Friday to continue her athletic and academic careers at St. Francis University and will focus on sprinting for the Red Flash.
“Obviously she is very talented,” said Rangers’ girls track and field coach Tom Hunter. “She is a ball of energy and is a fierce competitor and hates to lose.
“She has a great attitude and it’s that attitude which is going to allow her to be successful on the college level because she is going to work very hard to do what is asked of her.”
Gould, who ran track all through middle school but turned to softball when she was a freshman, came back to track her junior year.
She had an immediate impact for Forest Hills. She was named the school’s MVP sprinter last season for a girls track and field squad which won the Laurel Highlands Conference championship and the District 6-AA title.
Gould, who is a team captain, tied the school record of 12.6 for the 100-meter dash and is a vital part of the Rangers 400 and 1600 relays. The Forest Hills 1600 relay was a state medalist last season with a best time of 4:00 and the 400 relay was a state qualifier.
“I probably wouldn’t have known what to do with myself if I hadn’t participated in sports,” Gould said. “I would just be lost.
“There were other schools to pick from, but I liked St. Francis and the coach seems really tough and that’s what you need to be successful. I met with some of the girls on the team and they were very welcoming.”
Gould says there have been a lot of moments that she will cherish from her years at Forest Hills.
“Sports definitely play a big part in what my memories are from high school, especially my senior year,” Gould said. “In soccer, we went to the Sweet 16 and won the District 6 championship in basketball, advancing to the Elite 8. We are doing pretty well in softball and hopefully we can repeat as Laurel Highlands and District 6 champions in track and field.”
The daughter of Rick and Lori Gould of New Germany plans to major in physical therapy at St. Francis.
