Behind every good athlete, there is a certain driving force that makes them go.
Morgan Ryan, a junior at Monmouth College, wants to make a name for herself in track and field. She grew up going to Metamora High School and set the pole vault record. Morgan’s dad, Pat, has been the head football coach at Metamora since 1990. He’s got a 210-49 record and two state championships (2007 and 2009). Morgan also has a brother and twin sisters who are currently playing sports at Metamora.
“He (Pat) created a lot of memories at school,” Morgan said about her dad. “I wanted to do the same, but in my own way. I have a lot of family members who have done really well there. It kind of put that name (Ryan) on the map.”
The 20-year-old Ryan is a little over a foot away from the pole vault record at Monmouth College. Her goal from day one at Monmouth College has been to make it to the nationals. “I’ve had some injuries that have not let me do that,” Ryan said. “I’m right at the cutoff. I just have to go a little further.”
When you watch Ryan perform at Monmouth College, you quickly see a hungry competitor who feeds off her teammates like Bailey Jackson (Galesburg) and Mackinsey Marquith (Knoxville).
“We hang out on the weekend, too,” Morgan said. “We want to see good things come out of each other. If one does bad, then it is kind of a bad day for all of us. We want all of us to succeed.”
In the future, Morgan is planning to use her communication skills to land a good job after college.
Added MC coach Roger Haynes, “She is definitely a strong worker and is one of the most well-liked kids on the team.”
From: http://www.reviewatlas.com/sports/x987010329/Next-Level-Monmouth-Colleges-Morgan-Ryan-tries-to-leaver-her-mark-in-track
