Sept. 4, 2007

Each week USCsports.com will feature a different runner on the cross country team as they continue through the 2007 season. This week’s featured harrier is junior Megan Robers.

Junior Megan Robers has had to learn how to balance her life as a runner of the South Carolina cross country team with school and volunteer work. Robers is undergoing an intense academic schedule as a McNair scholar studying International Business, Finance and Spanish.

She wakes up with running on her mind and makes it to her 6:30 a.m. practice before heading to morning classes. She then heads over to the University Visitor Center to put in some volunteer hours before her afternoon workout. After meetings and evening classes, Robers heads home to take care of homework before she wakes up and does the whole routine over again.

But she still manages to get everything done. “I have about three calendars posted around my room and two more planners that are always by my side, all covered with responsibilities and obligations. Having everything systematically laid out in written form has helped me to manage all my commitments,” Robers said.

Balancing running with her school work is only one trial Robers has had to face as a runner. “I had a very difficult sophomore year, physically and mentally. It was mentally devastating to go from varsity status as a freshman to red-shirting as sophomore,” Robers said.

However, with the support of family and friends, Robers was able to keep her hopes up and continue to train hard. Robers hopes to use these trials in a positive way. One of her goals this season is “to have an influence on my teammates as a varsity contender and not just as a red-shirt cheerleader,” Robers said. This year, Robers has also set a personal goal to run a sub-19 minute 5k and be a part of the Gamecocks’ top five runners.