“Just have some fun with it—that’s always in my head,” Arkansas State Track & Field and Cross Country student-athlete Pauline Meyer said.
 
When you think ‘Pauline Meyer,’ think of the epitome of a student-athlete. She competes in the classroom and consistently pushes her limits in her respective sports.
 
Running is a mental game—how does Meyer stay on top?
 
“It’s all about staying consistent and putting in the work,” the Gronau-Epe, Germany, native added. “When it comes to races—I just have fun with it.”
 
In February, she helped lead the A-State women’s track & field team to its fourth-straight Sun Belt Conference Indoor championship. Meyer has earned combined 10 gold and silver medals and two bronze at the Sun Belt Conference Indoor & Outdoor and Cross Country Championship meets.
 
“The goal is to win—it’s always the goal,” Meyer said.
 
Behind two seconds in the 5000 meters at the 2023 SBC Indoor Championships, Meyer dug deep, using every breath and ounce of fight, to catch JMU’s Miranda Stanhope to earn gold and run a school record(16:38.50). She followed it a day later by running a meet-record 4:46.88 to claim gold in the mile.
 
“I just gave everything I had, then a little bit more,” Meyer added.
 
Meyer currently holds four school records, including the 3000 Meter (10:25.49), Indoor 3000 Meter (9:13.96), Distance Medley Relay (11:13.68) and the outdoor 3000 Meter Steeplechase (10:08.80). Adding to the list of accolades, her 5K time of 16:51.55 is the fastest in school history and an SBC meet record, to go along with her meet-record mile set this season.
 
Meyer was named the 2021 Sun Belt Cross Country Runner of the Year and is a two-time First-Team All-SBC Cross Country honoree (2019 & 2021). She earned U.S Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) All-Region recognition in 2021 and USTFCCCA All-South Central Region honors in 2019.
 
“You have to take a moment to yourself and think about all of the work you put in,” Meyer continued. “I often think about the people that I’m grateful for—my teammates, my coaches, and my family.”
 
An ambassador for Arkansas State University and the athletics department, Meyer was a graduate assistant for the international office and the psychology and counseling program. She landed on the USTFCCCA All-Academic team in 2021.
 
Joining the Red Wolves in 2017, Meyer quickly fell in love with the university and the program and its culture of winning.
 
She quickly added value to the team’s success.
 
“I was very fond of the team,” said Meyer. “I liked the size of the university—it’s not too big, but it’s not too small.”
 
Meyer spoke passionately about the support she feels from the Jonesboro community, donors, fans, and alumni.
 
“We love to have people come to our home meets. We appreciate all the support from everyone. Our next home meet (Red Wolves Open) is in April (21-22), and we hope to see everyone there,” Meyer concluded.
 
Unfortunately for her competition, she’s not done yet. 
 
More recently, at the WashU Distance Carnival, Meyer broke her own school record in the women’s 3000-meter steeplechase, clocking a time of 10:08.80.
 
Meyer’s goal is to compete professionally after graduation.
 
Meyer earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology in 2021 and is currently pursuing her master’s in psychology science.