Margaret Pouder '26 Recruiting Profile

I began running track in 7th grade (2021) and fell in love with the sport. Since the summer of 2023 my journey focused on multi-events, specifically in heptathlon. I've worked to improve my skills and reach new PRs. In 2024, I qualified to compete in the USATF National Junior Olympics for heptathlon for a 2nd consecutive year, and also qualified for LJ and javelin at that competition. As a rising senior my summer plans are to again compete in local, regional and national meets to push up my overall hep point score.

My goal is to contribute as a multi-athlete with a college track program and hopefully reach nationals. I plan to try pentathlons during indoor season of my senior year. I began learning a new event during my outdoor season– triple jump, I really love it. I qualified for my CIAC Class S state meet in LJ, TJ, HJ, javelin, and with my 4x100 team. I saw a lot of success in javelin this spring, and I'm closing in on 100'!

I've been an athlete since I was 3: soccer (4 years), basketball (3 years), travel softball (5 years - competed at Babe Ruth World Series), parkour & acro (5 years), and rowing (1.5 years). Lastly, track & field (5 years - middle school, high school varsity, and club teams), I'm often told by my HS and club coaches that I'm diligent, consistent, kind, helpful and team-minded. 

I like the culture of sports, being a part of a team and pushing myself to reach goals then setting new ones. I also like teaching teammates new events.

I've grown up working for our family farm raising donkeys, cows, sheep, pigs, chickens, ducks and recently, learning to be a beekeeper to our 4 hives of honey bees. Because of my farm experience, I'm accustomed to being challenged physically. I've had leadership roles in my 4-H group, high school and sports teams. 

I'm leaning towards studying kinesiology, sports medicine, exercise science or possibly marine biology or environmental sciences. Whichever my path leads, it will likely be in the science field. Some of my hobbies are photography and fly fishing. I shoot a lot and have won awards in youth photo competitions. I'm looking forward to taking AP Photography in my senior year. Recently, I've been teaching myself to play guitar, and plan to take lessons over the summer.