Nathaniel Meade is USATF-NE June 2020 Athlete of the Month

7/2/2020
 
July 2, 2020
 
Nathaniel Meade (Boston-North TC/Dover, NH) is the USATF-New England (USATF-NE) Athlete of the Month for June 2020 in recognition of his career accolades in the triple jump. Meade has qualified for the U.S. Indoor National Championships in the triple jump each of the last three years. Additionally, Meade had the top ranked USATF-NE 2019 Outdoor and 2020 Indoor Championships,and won the 2020 Indoor Points Chase. 
 
A graduate of Medomak Valley High School in Maine, Meade attended the University of Maine where he achieved bests of 6.81m (22'4") and 15.30m (50'2 1/2") in the long jump and triple jump, respectively. He was also named to four all-conference teams before his graduation in 2014. 
  
Since then, Meade has continued to improve in leaps and bounds, reaching a personal best of 15.89 meters (52'1 3/4")in the triple jump and 6.95m (22'9 1/2") in the long jump. 
 
When asked to describe Nathaniel, Boston-North TC founder and coach Jeff Rockwood emphasized his strong work ethic and goal-oriented mentality. “He’s an unbelievably hard-working kid. He has a mindset that he is going to do big things, and he’s willing to put the work in to try and get there.” It’s that hard work and focus that has allowed Meade to set new personal bests in each of the last three years. 
 
While Meade has had many great performances throughout his career, Rockwood said without hesitation that his best was at this year’s New England Indoor Championships. 
 
“The previous week at the US Indoor Championships, he had what we would consider a subpar performance. He performed well, but not what we expected. I encouraged him to jump the following weekend at New England’s, and he jumped a personal best in the third round and then another personal best in the sixth round.”
 
USATF-NE spoke with Nathaniel about his accomplishments. 
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USATF-NE: Why did you decide to join Boston-North Track Club?
 
NM: It was really because of Jeff, the head of the club, the way he cares about the athletes and his focus on the sprinters and jumpers. That’s what made it an elite club in New England, that was the big draw. 
 
USATF-NE: Not many triple jumpers competing post-collegiate in New England. Who do you train with?
 
NM: I’m with Boston-North Track Club, but I live in New Hampshire so I train by myself. My coach, Chris Prebisch, is based out of Portland, and provides training plans and feedback. Since I graduated college, I don’t generally train in a group. Sometimes I’ll have some people meet up, but for the most part I train by myself. 
 
USATF-NE: What do you consider to be your most memorable performance?
 
NM: The most memorable performance for me was when I was selected to compete at the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix in February this year. It was an actual pro meet, the first meet on the World Cup circuit, which of course unfortunately did not happen. It was an honor to compete there, and it was humbling to be able to compete at that level. I didn’t PR that day, but I jumped pretty well overall. 
 
USATF-NE: What's your ultimate goal?
 
NM: My Indoor goal was to break 16 meters. At the last meet indoors before it was canceled, I hit 15.89. My goal overall is to make the Olympic Trials. My next goal is to hit 16.20 meters, so hopefully the 2021 Olympic Trials are next for me.