Merryman thriving in professional career after taking women’s triathlon team to next level

Megan Merryman master's degree portrait — Merryman completed her master's degree in orthotics and prosthetics in Tampa, Fla.

The most decorated female triathlete in the 20-year history of Liberty University's women's triathlon program, Megan Merryman ('17) is one of three former student-athletes to be inducted as the 12th Club Sports Hall of Fame class during Wednesday night's Choice Awards.

Merryman placed sixth while representing the Lady Flames at the NCAA Women's Collegiate Triathlon National Championships in New Orleans as a senior in November 2016. Competing against nearly 60 women, including several professional triathletes, she completed the 400-meter swim, 20-kilometer cycling stage, and 5-kilometer run in 1 hour, 3 minutes, 40 seconds — less than three minutes behind the winner, Erika Ackerlund from the University of Montana. With two international triathletes in the top five, her finish among United States competitors was officially fourth, allowing her to pursue her pro card in the sport.

Megan Merryman orthotics and prosthetics residency — Merryman received her white coat during a ceremony at the International Institute of Orthotics and Prosthetics in Tampa, Fla.

A competitive swimmer in high school, Merryman ran her first multi-sport event as a sophomore at the Angel's Race Sprint Triathlon in Downtown Lynchburg, quickly developing a passion for it. Rachel Walters, a Lady Flames triathlete and friend of Merryman, invited her to join the team, and she blossomed tremendously in her three-year career at Liberty.

In her first two seasons, Merryman improved dramatically on her team's first-place Olympic Distance female finish at the USA Triathlon Collegiate National Championships — from 163rd as a sophomore to 21st as a junior in 2:26:52.46. She saved her strongest phase for last in that race, completing the 10K run in 44:14, the ninth-fastest time in the field of more than 500 female triathletes.

"Having the opportunity to travel and compete with Club Sports allowed me to do a lot more than I would ever have done on my own," Merryman said. "It was exciting to see how far I could take the sport, with the opportunity to go to NCAA Division I nationals in New Orleans and to travel to Alabama and South Carolina for (USA Triathlon Collegiate) nationals and to Florida a few times."

Merryman broke her collarbone on a cycling crash during the Clermont (Fla.) Draft Legal Challenge in January 2017, knocking her unconscious. She was airlifted to the hospital and the injury required surgery and prevented her from competing at the national championships for her senior season that spring, or training to become an Elite Triathlete after college.

"I didn't really recover well from the accident I had," she confessed. "I struggled physically and mentally after that. I was definitely burned out. My identity was no longer in the Lord. It was in being fast, and that took the joy out of competing in the sport. It took me a while to realize that was an issue."

Megan Merryman hikes Alps — Merryman tackles the German Alps on a rocky hike.

Merryman graduated with her B.S. in Exercise Science before launching her career near her hometown in Northern Virginia. Inspired by some German-speaking co-workers, she spent a few years overseas from 2020-22, working at a summer camp, hotel, and orthopaedic shoe company in Germany while learning the language and enjoying the experience of visiting other European countries.

Upon her return, Merryman pursued her master's degree through the International Institute of Orthotics and Prosthetics in Tampa, Fla. She is currently completing her two-year residency program in the Certified Prosthetic Orthotists' Orthotics and Prosthetics Lab in St. Louis.

"I am about halfway through, and it's awesome," she said. "I get to work with a lot of different types of people, helping to improve their quality of life by helping them to be able to walk better."

She said while she does see some athletes involved in adaptive programs, the majority of her clinic's patient base are children and the elderly requiring prosthetics, often due to birth defects or diabetes, respectively.

Competing in triathlon while pursuing her degree at Liberty prepared her well for the profession.

"Both studying exercise science and being an athlete require being a disciplined person, setting goals and staying motivated," Merryman said. "I've had a lot of different jobs between Liberty and where I am now, and the mental toughness it takes to complete a triathlon and willingness to challenge myself have carried on, for sure."

It can be challenging to keep up with the orthotics and prosthetics industry, which is continually making cutting-edge advancements.

Megan Merryman marathon finisher — Spurred on by a friend, Merryman completed her first marathon last October in Kansas City.

"Technology is always changing and is definitely getting better with 3D printing (being) a big thing, and scanning instead of making a cast," she said. "Basically, it is becoming more digitalized."

When Merryman turned 30 last year, a friend who signed up for the Garmin Kansas City Marathon in October encouraged her to join her in the race.

"I have not done a triathlon since graduating, but I have done some running races, including my first marathon last fall," said Merryman, whose strongest phase of the triathlon was the run. "Doing a marathon was something I'd thought about for a while, and doing the first one has definitely made me excited to do another. The challenge of pushing myself is something I've always liked."

She enjoys living in St. Louis and could see herself staying in the area, possibly with the company, after finishing her residency and taking her exams.

"It is a challenging field, but the more I've learned, I have become more confident," she said. "St. Louis is a small city, but everything's here. I grew up in the (Washington) D.C. area, and it is not as congested out here. Being here in the Midwest, people are friendly. I will see if I stay here after my residency. I'm open to whatever the Lord has for me."

By Ted Allen/Staff Writer

Megan Merryman at Germany Alps — Megan Merryman spent close to three years in Germany, which offered her the opportunity to explore neighboring European countries.

Liberty University Club Sports Athletics

Merryman thriving in professional career after taking women’s triathlon team to next level

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