Olympic Gold Medalist Inspires Parkersburg High School Students

Parkersburg — On Wednesday, Olympic gold medalist Misty May-Treanor connected with students at Parkersburg High School during their Sports in American Culture class. May-Treanor, known for her achievements in beach volleyball, shared her journey of competing in the Olympic Games and the dedication it took to reach the top.

Appearing via Zoom, May-Treanor explained her path, starting from her high school days as a top recruit to her time at Long Beach State, where her team became the first women’s NCAA volleyball team to finish a season undefeated in 1998. “Having someone that we could ask specific questions to, that would help us and just give advice to help us in our sport, was really great,” said junior volleyball player Kennedy Porter.

May-Treanor discussed her switch from playing as an outside hitter to taking on the role of a setter, which allowed her to compete at various levels. She noted the challenges of balancing her college schedule with playing for the national indoor team, stating, “In between my time at Long Beach State, I was playing on the indoor national team, so I never had a summer off.”

As she transitioned to beach volleyball due to feeling burned out from the indoor game, she talked about competing in four Olympic Games and winning gold medals in 2004, 2008, and 2012. She encouraged students to develop all-around skills and to take advantage of their offseasons by practicing at the beach.

May-Treanor shared some of her most treasured moments from the Olympics, particularly the pride of representing the U.S. while walking with the American flag during the opening ceremonies. “You know, even if I lose the medals or they get stolen or lost, no one can take that memory from me,” she said.

In addition to her sports career, May-Treanor earned a master’s degree in Coaching and Athletic Administration. She also talked about the realities of a professional athlete’s life, including dealing with extensive travel and time zone changes. During her talk, she highlighted the importance of having a backup plan, maintaining a solid routine, and being cautious of social media presence. “You have kids looking up to you. Eyes are on you. You’re representing your school,” she reminded the students.

The inspiring session left students feeling motivated. “You don’t have these experiences every day,” said junior Ava Sayre. “You can use some things that she talked to us about for the rest of your life.” May-Treanor’s visit left a significant impact on the students and provided a rare glimpse into the dedication necessary to compete in elite volleyball.