Legos And Leadership: Meadows Builds Strong Foundation

Perhaps the only thing Kaylani Meadows Kaylani Meadows C/2B Pickerington North | 2028 OH enjoys doing more than playing softball is constructing Lego sets. Meadows has put together numerous creations over the years, ranging from Star Wars ships to ornate flowers that now decorate her room.

She would build a 5,000-piece set in an hour when she was younger, and wants to eventually complete a Titanic Lego set with more than 9,000 pieces.

“It's just kind of relaxing, and it gives me something I can do if I want to binge watch a show,” Meadows said. “I really enjoy working towards it, and then getting it, and then seeing the end product of it. It makes you feel very accomplished and satisfied.”

Meadows takes a similar goal-oriented approach on the softball field. The 2028 recruit from Pickerington, Ohio is a lefty hitter who plays for Fusion Hobgood and Pickerington North High, where she earned second-team all-league honors and was named her team's Most Improved Player last season.

Meadows started softball at age 6. Her mom, Felicia, played at Wright State and has been an assistant coach for some of her teams over the years. Their shared love of the sport has solidified their already-strong mother-daughter bond 

“I actually prefer getting feedback from her, because I know she knows what she's talking about,” Meadows said. “I know that she's not going to tell me something completely insane that I've never heard before. It also helps, because she's my mom, I obviously trust her and I know where it's coming from. I know she wants what's best for me.”

Meadows became a catcher at age 12, but has recently tried to play more field positions as a true utility. 

“Catching was fun, but it was just a lot on my body, and I think that I'm ready to kind of take a step back from it,” Meadows said. “I still keep it in my back pocket because I'm good at it, but I definitely want to focus more on second base and outfield.”

The eldest of three children, Meadows takes great pride in her leadership abilities. She was selected by her school to take part in a three-day retreat to build leadership, where she learned leaders don't have to fit a specific mold.

“I like to set a positive example for others and lead by example when sometimes words aren't working,” Meadows said. “I think catching definitely helped me in that aspect too. Behind the plate you are kind of directing the infield to some extent. That definitely helped me be a good leader, even outside of softball.”

Meadows is hoping to follow in her mom's footsteps and play softball in college. 

“I do definitely have a couple of my top schools that if I got a call on September 1, I'd be freaking out,” she said, referring to Miami (Ohio), Michigan State and Appalachian State. “But I'm definitely emailing, posting on Twitter, DM'ing on Twitter–trying to keep up so that everyone can see stuff for recruiting.”

Meadows is interested in becoming a sports psychologist to remain connected to the athletic environment once her playing career is done.

“I wanted to be a nurse, but I love sports so I think I want to do something where I could put a little mix of both in there,” Meadows said. “I don't know when I'm ever going to be ready to fully step away and not deal with sports anymore, and I think that would be the perfect mix of both for me and something I would enjoy.”