In Focus: LSU\'s Akre Running Wherever She Goes

Even though Megan Akre is graduating and moving on to bigger and better things, she will take the cherished memories and life lessons she learned through all walks of her life.


"I think the highlight of my career was the SEC Indoor track meet," said Akre.


"I was finishing up the pentathlon and my last event was the 800-meter run. Coach (Irving) Boo (Schexnayder) told me right before I ran that if I finished well I could win the whole thing," she said. "I remember thinking to myself this would be a huge accomplishment for me and it would make my coach proud."


Akre finished the race but was not sure if it was enough to take the title, until she saw coach Boo. "I was leaning down, grabbing my knees, and he walked up to me with a huge smile on his face. Right then, I knew I had done it," said Akre.


"Coach Boo is very serious about his work and rarely cracks a smile. So when I saw teeth, I knew it was not only a good sign, but a great sign," she said.


Akre was not only proud of her personal accomplishment, but knowing that coach Boo was happy made it even more memorable.


"Just seeing his excitement was awesome for me. I was so glad to make him proud," she said.


Akre also competed at the Penn Relays this year and said, "This meet, in general, is just the coolest meet. This stadium has an undeniable character and prestige. Our (shuttle hurdle) relay team won so we had the opportunity to stand on the podium and accept the traditional Penn Relays' wheel and be introduced as if we were Olympic medalists."


Track has provided Akre with many memories and accomplishments, but the athletics program at LSU equips athletes with more than just medals, trophies, and memories.


"I have learned so much more than just track from coach Boo. He has influenced me more than anybody else," said Akre. "I will take everything from nutrition to his funny little life sayings with me wherever life leads me."


As with any athlete, staying healthy and a daily workout regimen are an integral part of training. Akre said she will probably not stick to the strict workout schedule, but she will work out and stay in good physical shape.


"I have the necessary nutrition information to stay healthy for the rest of my life. I feel like I have been a nutrition major for the last four years," said Akre.


But perhaps the most important thing Akre will take with her is the life lessons coach Boo impressed upon her.


"He has a way of presenting his life messages with funny sayings. My favorite saying is, 'Do not be a shrimp. You don't want to go with the tide or flow of the water. You want to choose your own direction. Don't float along life,'" said Akre.


"Everyone can learn something from this saying. You don't have to be an athlete to take this message and apply it to your life," she said.


Akre is certainly not going to float through life. Upon her graduation in May, she has a job lined up with Shell Oil in Houston starting in July.


"This job is very task and project oriented, just like running track is. I will have several projects to work on in a span of three years and the knowledge I gain will carry with me throughout this occupation and the rest of my life," she said.


Akre said, "Things such as discipline, time management and goal setting will be a part of me forever. Just being on a team makes you learn a lot."


Akre will be competing at the NCAA Championships, June 7-10, and her goal is to, "Do what Boo has taught me. It doesn't matter what place I get. What will make me happy is to go out with some pride." she said.