ETSU alums Adrian Meronk and Sander Gilles are back for their second appearance in the Olympic Games in Paris since the 2020 games in Tokyo. This year, Golfer Adrian Meronk, who wore red and white for Poland, was No. 29 in the Olympic rankings and made the top 60 players in the field. Tennis player Sander Gilles, who represented his home country of Belgium, returned alongside his doubles partner Joran Vliegen with recent successes under their belt including making the finals at the 2023 French Open and the quarterfinals this past summer.

Photo of Adrian Meronk. (Contributed/ETSU)

During their time at ETSU, the Buccaneer duo played their respective sports representing the school and were in the athlete monitoring program of the university’s Center of Excellence for Sport Science and Coach Education (CESSCE). The CESSCE focuses on the development of strength, power and endurance, and encourages professional preparation for career-making players.

Director of the CESSCE and two-time Olympian Margaret Stone recalled the time the program had with the athletes, mentioning in a phone call that Meronk took part in the strength and conditioning program they had built for men’s golf. The program works on annual plans with the head coach, which both athletes underwent in preparation for long-term success after graduation.

Alongside training, conditioning and groundwork, Stone noted the importance of rest and recovery for athletes in the lead-up to the games.

“Months before the games, there’s not an awful lot you’re going to do to change the physical peaking process for the competition,” Stone said. “You can do a lot damage it, but not a lot to enhance it.”

Photo of Sander Gille. (Contributed/ETSU)

As the games begin, she mentioned the four approaches she has observed athletes take when going into the Olympics. These mindsets include those who participate for experience, those who show potential, those who strive for the finals and those who are metal contenders and must go against major rivals.

“The one good thing that everybody can hang on to is when you become a member of the Olympic fraternity, you’re an Olympian for life.” Stone said. “You know you’ve got somebody who is dedicated to the sport, worked hard and are masters of the sport they’re involved in.”

Adrian Meronk graduated from ETSU in 2016 with a bachelor’s degree in business and finance while Sander Gilles graduated in 2012 with a degree in business. The alum duo will carry the Olympian title throughout their professional careers as they make history for their homelands and ETSU alike.

 

 

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