Heartland Champion Ready For A Step Up In Competition

By Mary Albl of DyeStat

Meghan Ford is used to facing a challenge. Whether it’s bracing for a run in sub-zero temperatures or trying to adjust to the dynamics of a big-time race, Ford has learned to navigate and embrace the unique hurdles that come with being a runner from Jamestown, N.D.

This Saturday, Ford will face her biggest challenge yet when she competes at Nike Cross Nationals in Portland for the first time. 

“I think that being from North Dakota, I’m able to push myself alone a lot more,” she said. “I think when I’m surrounded by a lot of (talented) girls, I’ll have those girls to push me, and I think I can be pushed to a really good time, and hopefully a really good place at nationals."

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The junior heads into the race after winning the Nike Heartland Regional on Nov. 10 in a time of 17 minutes, 19.1 seconds. She is the first female runner from North Dakota to win the regional race and is just the third girl ever from the midwestern state to advance to Nationals. Karly Ackley of Grand Forks Central qualified in 2016, and before her, Minot’s Brecca Wahlund competed at NXN in 2008.  

“After the race people from my town and across the state were congratulating me,” Ford said. “It was really cool to see my entire state just rally behind me and support me to nationals."

Once a figure skater, gymnast and dancer, Ford turned her attention to running as she started to follow in her older brother Aaron's footsteps. With the middle and high schools combined in Jamestown, a town of roughly 16,000, Ford was already competing and gaining experience at the varsity level as a seventh grader. Since that first year, she’s improved upon her cross country times at the state championship level every season, winning the Class A title as a sophomore and junior, dipping under 18 minutes. 

“I feel like unlike a lot of girls my age, my progress has been linear,” Ford said. “I’m pretty consistent with time improvements over the years, and just being patient and consistent with (my) training.” 

Ken Gardner, her coach at Jamestown, said running in North Dakota, where she’s winning every meet by a minute or two minutes, can present challenges when trying to get to the next level. He said a focal point for Ford and her progression has shifted to the mental aspect of running and racing. In September at the high-profile Roy Griak Invitational in MN, Ford was disappointed to finish in 42nd place. After that outcome, she learned she had an iron deficiency. Since addressing the issue, it’s been a steady path forward and her strongest cross county season to date. 

“I think that helped me mentally because it helped me realize how much more I could push myself,” Ford said. “At the beginning of the season I wrote down as one of my goals that I wanted to win the (Heartland Regional) race. The week leading into the race I felt really confident that I could win.”

Described as quiet and humble by her coach, deep down, Ford, the runner from the small town of Jamestown is more than ready to take on the field at NXN, which includes two-time defending champion, Katelyn Tuohy of North Rockland NY. Ford listed making All-American, which requires a top-21 finish, as one of her goals heading into Saturday’s race.

“I think when she won NXR Heartland, the little bit of disbelief on her face, it took a little while for her to sink in,” Gardner said. “It’s (NXN) going to be a challenge, no question there. But you never know, every course is different. It's going to be tough, but it’s one more step to take and experience. (But) I want her to enjoy it as well. This is a big deal and this is fun.”