Women's Lax: Meg Mallon Q & A
April 20, 2004
Terps Today (TT): After being a reserve, what was it like to run through the sticks during the introductions as a starter?
Meg Mallon (MM): It was amazing. It was something that I've dreamed of since I came to Maryland for lacrosse camp. When we played in the national championship game when I was a freshman, I got to run out because they called everyone's name, and I got to run through as a regular player, and I thought it was amazing and that I might never get to experience it ever again. I went crazy going through there screaming. Then this year, to run through it as a starter, it was so surreal it was a dream come true. I get excited every time I get to go through.
TT: What's the major difference between being a starter and coming off the bench?
MM: You're never sure if you're going to play or if you're going to be needed, so you have to be ready at every second to go in. You have the whole team unzipping and unbuttoning trying to get the warm-ups off so you can get in there and you have to go out and help your team. As a starter, it's exciting because I know the coaches trust me enough to start and play as well as I can. If I make a mistake and I get a second chance, which doesn't always happen when you're a reserve. I'm excited to be the one that has a spot because it shows that hard work, perseverance, all of those long practices, the extra work, have paid off.
TT: What do you get at Chipotle?
MM: I get a chicken fajita. I like a little bit of everything. I just get a few onions because they're too much sometimes, green peppers, tomatoes, corn, lettuce, a little bit of sour cream and a little bit of cheese. And I like the green Tabasco sauce to put on it. That makes it taste even better.
TT: What's your favorite quote from Coach Timchal?
MM: I like it when she screams your name and gives you a stare. She doesn't say anything, but she shrugs her shoulders like "What are you doing out there?"
TT: What's the best playing advice you've gotten from your dad?
MM: Move your feet and play the hip.
TT: What CDs are in your stereo right now?
MM: A lot of mixed CDs, but my go-to CD is Dave (Matthews). I have a lot of Dave. And Kenny Chesney. I listen to the CD we listen to on the bus on the way to games, I call it the Bus Mix, Volume 2. It's got a lot of songs that pump you up.
TT: If you had a day off and could go anywhere or do anything, where would you go and what would you do?
MM: Take all my friends and go to the beach. Go to the outlets shopping and sit on the beach and go in the ocean. I'd have an amazing day of being a girly-girl and having fun.
TT: Do you have any pre-game rituals?
MM: I dance in the training room with Megan Sommar. It gets me pumped up for a game. We just have fun and do crazy dances like the shimmy, constantly laughing with the other team members laughing at us. It's great!
TT: Which teammate do you admire most?
MM: Annie Collins. She's gone through a lot with her knee surgeries and has found her rhythm back on the field again. Last year she emerged as a key player but I don't think anyone really noticed it. I think she's an awesome player and people strive to play like her - her game is so fluid and effortless it seems.
