Meg Ryan loves gymnastics, used to run track and plays on the Syracuse field hockey team.

Meg Ryan also loves Meg Ryan.

No, the actress hasn’t come down with a self-absorption complex or a new love of sports.

This Meg Ryan – whose favorite movie is Ryan’s ‘You’ve Got Mail’ – a freshman on the Syracuse field hockey team, doesn’t have time to attend Hollywood premieres or fancy parties. She’s too busy adjusting to a new team and college life.

She’s already distinguished herself from this year’s crop of field hockey talent. Ryan has started seven of SU’s first eight games, the most out of the true freshmen on the team.

‘Meg is very passionate about the game,’ said Jeanne Ryan, Meg Ryan’s mother. ‘She trains a lot and has a good work ethic.’

Ryan’s work ethic transcends into the classroom, where she majors in inclusive education. Balancing a Division I sport with a full class load hasn’t been easy, but Ryan manages.

She’s used to handling a busy schedule. As a young girl, she was an accomplished gymnast who practiced 20-25 hours per week, participating in competitions in Florida, Las Vegas and Ohio.

In eighth grade, though, Meg discovered her love for field hockey. Throughout her career at Hempfield High School, she achieved numerous all-star honors and set the school track records in the 100- and 200-meter hurdles as well as in the 4X100- and 4X200-meter relays. Despite the fact that 15 colleges courted Meg for field hockey and track, her decision was an easy one.

‘I just did track to stay in shape,’ Ryan said. ‘After visiting SU on a recruiting trip, it felt right. I loved the coaches and the academics and campus were good.’

Athletic talent runs in the family. Meg’s older brother, Mike, plays soccer at Wesleyan in Connecticut. The junior midfielder has two points in three games this season. He also writes sports articles for the school newspaper in his offseason.

Supporting her every step of the way, Hempfield head track coach Bill Bowers was sad to see her leave Hempfield after four years.

‘She’s probably one of the two or three best competitors I have ever had,’ Bowers said. ‘She was focused, determined and she looks competition in the face.’

Meg’s senior class won the league track meet all four of her years thanks in large part to her performance.

‘Meg is motivated by pride,’ Bowers said. ‘She hates to lose and it permeated the team. She gets very upset when she is not at her best.’

After just eight games, Ryan has already found her role at SU. The speedy forward has adapted with the help of a dedicated upper class.

While practicing with upperclassmen for three weeks before classes started, Ryan adjusted to her new setting.

‘I got used to the campus before school started,’ Ryan said. ‘The upperclass has been really helpful, too. They are nice to us freshmen.’

Published on September 24, 2003 at 12:00 pm