VERONA, Wis. (BVM) — After leading the Verona High School (VHS) girls softball team, Meghan Anderson is continuing her successful athletic and academic careers at Northern State University (NSU) in Aberdeen, S.D.

As just a freshman, Anderson improved her abilities to more than match the change in competition level on the college diamond. Impressively, Anderson’s numbers at the next level were better than her high school marks.

Before the season was suspended in March due to COVID-19, Anderson posted a 10-1 record in the circle with one save, helping the Wolves to a 15-4 record — the best start in school history. She pitched nine complete games in her 10 starts with a stellar 1.15 ERA.

“The biggest change I noticed was the level of competition,” Anderson said. “Everyone is there to hit home runs and make that winning play. One thing that makes my team so special is how well we all play together as a team and support each other both on the field and off.”

Before the season’s suspension, Anderson was on track to achieve a rare feat — winning both the freshman of the year and player of the year awards for the Wolves. She was also nominated for female athlete of the year at NSU.

Anderson’s high school softball legacy at VHS is well documented. As a four-year starter and a two-time all-conference and all-state honoree, she went down as one of the top pitchers in school history. The softball star holds Verona’s strikeout record among all pitchers since the rubber was moved back to 43 feet from home plate.

The great work habits developed at VHS have served her well in college, as she has continued her diligence at NSU and taken it to another level.

“I have been lifting weights six days a week and pitching six days a week,” Anderson said. “I have pushed myself even harder than last year in high school.”

Despite this dedication, she believes she can get better as things begin to return to normal.

“I haven’t been able to work out to my full potential due to all the gyms being closed,” Anderson said.

Her work has produced a fastball consistently in the 64-65 mph range. For anyone thinking about stepping in to take a few cuts against Anderson, you might want to think again. This velocity equates to 90+ mph in baseball when the 43-foot mound-to-home distance is considered.

The pitcher chose NSU over a number of schools including Minnesota Duluth, Concordia, and Northern Illinois. The Andersons have a strong connection to the Dakotas as her mom, Michelle, has family in South Dakota, while her dad, Kevin, went to North Dakota State. Meghan also felt NSU was the right fit for her because they are “a close-knit team and like a family.”

Meghan credits many people in helping her get to where she is today. It starts with her family — Michelle, Kevin and her 24-year-old sister, Hannah.

“Hannah’s focus on dance got me moving,” Meghan said.

She also cites Brian Bott of Sports AdvantEdge in Verona, Wis., as well as VHS pitching coach Rick Monson in helping develop her talents on the softball field.

“Brian is amazing at what he does, and Rick saw something in me,” Meghan said.

Monson taught her new ways of pitching including the rise ball. Meghan remembers the first time everything clicked, and she figured out the pitch.

“We were in Janesville and I threw a ball over the backstop and dented a car,” Meghan said. “It wasn’t good for the car, but I knew how to throw the rise ball!”

She also noted the countless hours her dad has spent catching that allow her to hone in on her craft.

“I have only hit him twice,” Meghan said jokingly.

It is not just about softball for Meghan. Balance is undoubtedly a key to her success on the field and in the classroom. She is majoring in business with an emphasis on marketing and advertising at NSU.

And, like she did with the Ronald McDonald House in Madison, Wis., she is volunteering through her church group in Aberdeen.

The star pitcher also has plans in place for the immediate future.

“For right now, my plans are to go to grad school and use my extra year of eligibility that we lost due to the pandemic,” Meghan said.

Maturity. Discipline. Intelligence. These are words that come to mind when you meet Meghan Anderson. She enhances these attributes with being just a nice, humble, and respectful young woman. Mix these ingredients together and what do you get? A leader.

Only 19, Meghan has developed these qualities at levels many twice her age can only hope to achieve, and that is in part due to the mindset she lives by.

“Anything is possible with hard work and determination,” Meghan said.

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