Megan McCormick stands afront her home dugout while jerseys from each sport she's played, including softball, volleyball and basketball, hang in the background.
Stretched over barbwire, allowing her fellow troops to cross into enemy territory, Megan McCormick wouldn’t have it any other way.
McCormick’s passion and dedication to her teammates, coupled with her talent on the court and in the field, helped the senior three-sport star shine bright for the Greenwave this year.
“One of the first things she did is she was a natural leader for sure,” Fallon basketball coach Anne Smith said. “She just knows how to work with the kids collectively. She just not only led by what she said but by her example in how she held herself. She really was the glue that held everyone together on the team.”
Softball had always been her go-to sport, especially if she were to continue playing in college. Instead of focusing solely on softball, McCormick contributed in all three seasons, earning various accolades and as a result, McCormick has been named the LVN’s Female Athlete of the Year.
In the fall, her vocal leadership and positive attitude helped the volleyball team make the playoffs. She followed with a stronger showing with the basketball team, which went to state, falling two wins short of the program’s first championship. And while the softball team couldn’t three-peat, McCormick dominated the headlines with her bat and glove as the Lady Wave won the league title and ousted Fernley in the state tournament. Fallon’s season ended against Spring Valley.
“Other than falling short, I wish we would have been able to wrap up that elimination game and take it home,” McCormick said of her last game as a Greenwave. “If we had another shot against Spring Valley, we would have come in more focused and attacked the ball.”
Being on two state championship teams was a treat for McCormick but a third would have been the perfect send-off.
“On an individual level, I would have liked to have been able to win state again as a team,” said McCormick, a first-team all-state selection for three-straight seasons. “Personally, the hard work I put in the offseason and traveling to Reno paid off in the end. The record showed that.”
McCormick broke the school record for home runs after Rileigh Ricken shattered the record two years ago. McCormick belted nine home runs to lead the team this season and finish with 25 for her career. She also hit .510, got on base almost 60 percent of the time and was third on the team in doubles with eight. McCormick had a .872 slugging percentage and 10 stolen bases.
McCormick was as effective in the field as she was at the plate. McCormick caught most of the spring season as Fallon pitchers finished with a 2.11 team ERA. She finished third on the team with 97 putouts and 19 assists.
Next season, McCormick, who will study in biology, will continue a family tradition that has seen her father and uncles play for the Saints at Carroll College.
PLAYING IN THE PAINT
McCormick owned the key this past basketball season.
The forward averaged 12.3 points per game as she played in all 28 games. McCormick also averaged seven rebounds, 0.9 assists and 1.1 steals per game. She shot 45 percent from the floor and led the team with 51 made free throws.
“I definitely exceeded my expectations,” McCormick said. “I knew I was going to do well but I didn’t know how well. I was excited how we did as a team. Basketball was the most enjoyable season overall.”
McCormick helped Smith’s basketball team turn in one of the best seasons in program history. Fallon won the league title and fell a buzzer-beater short from winning the regional crown before being bounced out in the first round at state.
Still, McCormick — the only starting senior — will leave big shoes to fill.
“You can’t replace Megan McCormick. She’s a hard worker,” Smith said. “Every practice, every game, she gives it 100 percent. There’s not ever taking the easy way out. She’s always looking for ways to improve herself and her teammates. It showed. It especially showed her senior year. She did a lot of for us. She’s just a real solid player.”
McCormick was a first team all-league selection and second team all-state. But she would be the first one to say the success would not have happened if it were not for the rest of the team.
“It was easy to exceed my expectations because of my guards,” McCormick said. “Their work in practice and games helped raise my level in play and exceeded my expectations.”
ALL OVER THE COURT
If you needed McCormick anywhere on the court, she wouldn’t question the decision.
“She is one of the most gifted athletes I have ever had but by far the easiest to coach,” Fallon volleyball coach Patty Daum said. “I could ask Meg to play setter and she would smile and say ‘let’s do this.’”
For Daum’s volleyball squad, McCormick combined her athleticism with hard work, determination and leadership to help turn in a successful season. Fallon finished fourth in the league to make the playoffs while McCormick garnered second-team recognition after her third year on varsity.
“I thought the season went well, personally and for the whole team. I thought it was the best year in a while,” McCormick said. “There wasn’t any drama and team-wise, we just clicked. Overall, it was my favorite year of volleyball.”
McCormick, a team captain who played outside hitter and middle hitter, finished fourth on the team with 72 kills for an attack percentage of .246. She was also fourth on the team with 10 assists and had 141 service aces. McCormick finished with 31 total blocks, 43 digs and 12 assists.
“I love the sport and love playing for Patty,” McCormick said. “It’s something that keeps me engaged with my teammates and helps build relationships off the court.”
Playing various roles on the court helped McCormick prepare for her other sports. Hand-eye coordination and footwork stood out the most helped her with the movement in basketball and focusing more on the pitch in softball.
“Whether you’re transitioning off the net or moving to get to the ball, it definitely helps in basketball and softball,” she added.
IT’S MORE THAN SPORTS
Academics were just as important to McCormick, who had her father’s words resonate throughout her high school career.
“Being a student-athlete means I’m a student first and education is always the most important,” she said. “Softball will continue for me the next four years and after that is my education will carry me on in life, not necessarily what I did on the softball diamond.”
McCormick finished with a 4.2 weighted GPA and was inducted into the National High School Honors Society. She finished in the top of her class and volunteered for several organizations, including Fallon Daily Bread, Churchill County Youth Softball Association and Sierra Youth Football League.
“Meg is a product of great parents, who respected other coaches were a part of Meg’s high school career,” Daum said. “They taught Meg well on the parallels of athletics and life. And in turn, Meg taught others.”
In addition to maintaining a high GPA, McCormick helped her younger brother, Sean, ease into the high school life. Sean McCormick participated on three state teams, including the champion football and wrestling squads.
“We definitely got closer,” Megan McCormick said. “Our friend group is the same. We’ve been hanging out more. He’s my best friend.”
In a way, McCormick said watching her brother’s success as a freshman was reminiscent of when she arrived on campus for the first time.
“We have the same work ethic. It comes from where our parents are,” she said. “You don’t expect things to be handed to you. You have to make most out of everything that comes to you. Sean was able to do that too.”
McCormick’s humble and caring attitude shined as much as her athletic and academic talents as she prepares for a new chapter at Carroll. Her presence was felt in the gym and on the diamond, earning respect from her teammates, coaches and opposing teams. Although McCormick leaves an irreplaceable void in Greenwave athletics, she helped reinvent the blueprint for incoming students to be successful in Fallon.