Junior Meghan Briggs is establishing herself among a long list of Virginia greats in the javelin. As a sophomore, Briggs won an Atlantic Coast Conference title in the event, marking the seventh time in the past 10 years a Cavalier has won the event. She will look to repeat the feat at this year’s ACC Championships next week.

Virginia will have one final tune-up meet prior to ACCs when the Cavaliers host the annual Lou Onesty/Milton Abramson Invitational on Friday and Saturday at Lannigan Field. Events are tentatively scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. on Friday and 10 a.m. on Saturday.

Question: How does it feel to finally be back outdoors competing?
Briggs: For a javelin thrower who only competes in the spring, it feels like you are training forever because once you finish in June you are training again until the next March. So to say, it is an amazing feeling to finally be back in action and competing with your teammates. I feel like now everything that I have been working for is all coming together.

Question: ACCs are next week - where you’re the defending champion in the javelin, what are your expectations for the conference meet this year?
Briggs: I am expecting to take home the gold!

Question: What are your goals for the rest of the season?
Briggs: Outside of winning ACCs again, my goals for the season are to take a top-three spot at regionals and placing in the top-five at nationals to gain All-America honors.

Question: You’ve won several individual meet titles too, including the Jefferson Dual this past weekend and the Lou Onesty last year. Would you say you compete against yourself or against the competition?
Briggs: I would say that in smaller meets where competition is not as strong, I try and compete with myself in a more mental aspect. I try and work on things that I struggle with in big meets and really practice on my weaknesses. However in larger meets, I would have to say I compete with the competition because at that point you have to be automatic with your mental capabilities and just be able to do whatever it takes to win.   

Question: When did you start competing in the javelin? What got you into the event?
Briggs: I started competing in the javelin in high school as a freshman. I started this event because I was asked one day to participate in a softball throwing contest, which I won. A few days later I was told I was throwing the javelin.

Question: What made you decide to come to compete at Virginia?
Briggs: My recruiting visit is what decided it for me. I had never met a group of people that I did not know at all, and in one weekend made me feel like I was family.  I was also able to really connect with the coaches at many different levels, especially Carrie Lane. At that point I knew I was going to get a great education and be able to really enjoy committing my time to a team like this.  

Question: What is your training level like?
Briggs: The training is very intense and heavy during the off-season.  When the outdoor season starts, the workouts are moderate with intensity and more focused towards refining and maintaining the fundamentals.

Question: What advice would you offer to athletes who are transitioning into the collegiate competition to get to the level of success that you’re currently at?
Briggs: You have to be willing to accept criticism and use it to your advantage. You cannot rely on what you are already successful at; you have to want more at a level like this.

Question: Who would you say is your biggest inspiration?
Briggs: I would have to say my mom. She is a role model to me in so many ways; I just hope someday that I can do half the stuff she does for me, and our family.