Malyurek Finds Success on Court and Off
12/16/2005 12:00:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
Montana State University volleyball star Meggie Malyurek
remembers that while growing up near Sheridan, Wyo., she and her friends "had a lot of energy, so our parents started us in athletics."
Malyurek's introduction to volleyball in fourth grade had impressive results. As she grew into a six-footer with a devastating kill shot, the outside-hitter made her mark during her career playing for the MSU Bobcats. But now that volleyball is over, perhaps a mark that will be more lasting will be Malyurek's leadership skills and her involvement in nutrition, the field in which she will graduate in May.
"Nutrition plays a positive part in athletic performance," Malyurek said. "I was also interested in the field because I know about eating disorders first-hand from playing in athletics and seeing its effects. I wanted to do something about it."
Nutrition isn't the easiest major that Malyurek could have chosen. The curriculum requires a large time commitment. Malyurek has balanced it with a demanding athletic training and travel schedule, and a variety of extra curricular activities and community service projects ranging from helping kids learn about track to fixing lunches at the Gallatin Valley Food Bank.
Despite her dizzying schedule, she has maintained a 3.71 grade point average. In addition, Malyurek was elected captain of the MSU volleyball team three years in a row, serving at that demanding job since she was a sophomore. Recently, Malyurek was named MSU Rotary Student of the Month for her range of achievements.
"The sky is the limit for Meggie," says Miya Malauulu, MSU head volleyball coach. "She knows how to work with everyone and anyone and has the best time management skills because nutrition is not an easy major. She does
every thing well, and you know that there will be nothing but good things ahead for her."
Malauulu said that Malyurek was the player that others on the team sought out to help them with problems ranging from rides home to tutoring. "She was the mother-hen of the team with a maturity beyond her years," Malauulu
said. "Anything that needed to be taken care of, Meggie took care of it. You can't teach anyone to have those skills. It's just an innate ability."
Teammates also sought her help for nutrition advice. Malyurek said she is far from a perfect eater but believes in a global view of health.
"I preach moderation," Malyurek said. "I don't think you need to deprive yourself if you eat in moderation. I think we need to stop counting every calorie and look at the big picture of what the body needs including rest, nutrition and proper hydration."
Malyurek believes that eating disorders are rampant among young women and experts need to start nutrition education with younger children to combat the poor nutrition education and self-esteem problems that she says lead to
the disorders. She said she agrees that society's view of beauty skews body image for countless young girls.
She also recommends that parents encourage activities that burn calories rather than allowing children to watch television and play video games for extended periods of time.
"As a kid I never played video games," Malyurek said of growing up in Big Horn, Wyo. "We were out running around after school and in the summer."
Malyurek still is a fan of playing outdoors. She is an avid fly fisherwoman, camper and hiker. She said she hopes to continue with those activities as she completes a required one-year nutrition internship somewhere in the West following graduation. She plans to get a master's
degree and eventually open up a private practice.
"I've had a great experience (at MSU)," Malyurek said. "I've been really busy and maybe missed doing those things that most college kids get to do, but I've played college athletics, which is something most people would
love to do. I've had so many great memories here."
remembers that while growing up near Sheridan, Wyo., she and her friends "had a lot of energy, so our parents started us in athletics."
Malyurek's introduction to volleyball in fourth grade had impressive results. As she grew into a six-footer with a devastating kill shot, the outside-hitter made her mark during her career playing for the MSU Bobcats. But now that volleyball is over, perhaps a mark that will be more lasting will be Malyurek's leadership skills and her involvement in nutrition, the field in which she will graduate in May.
"Nutrition plays a positive part in athletic performance," Malyurek said. "I was also interested in the field because I know about eating disorders first-hand from playing in athletics and seeing its effects. I wanted to do something about it."
Nutrition isn't the easiest major that Malyurek could have chosen. The curriculum requires a large time commitment. Malyurek has balanced it with a demanding athletic training and travel schedule, and a variety of extra curricular activities and community service projects ranging from helping kids learn about track to fixing lunches at the Gallatin Valley Food Bank.
Despite her dizzying schedule, she has maintained a 3.71 grade point average. In addition, Malyurek was elected captain of the MSU volleyball team three years in a row, serving at that demanding job since she was a sophomore. Recently, Malyurek was named MSU Rotary Student of the Month for her range of achievements.
"The sky is the limit for Meggie," says Miya Malauulu, MSU head volleyball coach. "She knows how to work with everyone and anyone and has the best time management skills because nutrition is not an easy major. She does
every thing well, and you know that there will be nothing but good things ahead for her."
Malauulu said that Malyurek was the player that others on the team sought out to help them with problems ranging from rides home to tutoring. "She was the mother-hen of the team with a maturity beyond her years," Malauulu
said. "Anything that needed to be taken care of, Meggie took care of it. You can't teach anyone to have those skills. It's just an innate ability."
Teammates also sought her help for nutrition advice. Malyurek said she is far from a perfect eater but believes in a global view of health.
"I preach moderation," Malyurek said. "I don't think you need to deprive yourself if you eat in moderation. I think we need to stop counting every calorie and look at the big picture of what the body needs including rest, nutrition and proper hydration."
Malyurek believes that eating disorders are rampant among young women and experts need to start nutrition education with younger children to combat the poor nutrition education and self-esteem problems that she says lead to
the disorders. She said she agrees that society's view of beauty skews body image for countless young girls.
She also recommends that parents encourage activities that burn calories rather than allowing children to watch television and play video games for extended periods of time.
"As a kid I never played video games," Malyurek said of growing up in Big Horn, Wyo. "We were out running around after school and in the summer."
Malyurek still is a fan of playing outdoors. She is an avid fly fisherwoman, camper and hiker. She said she hopes to continue with those activities as she completes a required one-year nutrition internship somewhere in the West following graduation. She plans to get a master's
degree and eventually open up a private practice.
"I've had a great experience (at MSU)," Malyurek said. "I've been really busy and maybe missed doing those things that most college kids get to do, but I've played college athletics, which is something most people would
love to do. I've had so many great memories here."
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