HAMLER, Ohio — Nash Meyer was one of the best high school athletes in the area over the last four years. He was a three sport athlete at Patrick Henry High School, excelling in football, basketball and baseball.
During a football practice in October, Meyer started feeling a pain in his right leg. At the team's next game in which he led the Patriots to a win versus league rival Wauseon, things got worse.
"Got on the bus [after the game] and I could tell something wasn't right," Meyer said. "It just wasn't right and I told my parents when I got home. We went and got it checked out and it wasn't good."
The win over Wauseon turned out to be the last high school football game Meyer ever played. The school's all-time leading passer tore his meniscus into several parts across his knee, and caused inflammation to his ACL.
Doctors told Meyer it would be a six month recovery, and that he probably wouldn't make it back in time for basketball season.
"They even thought it would be close for baseball, so it was definitely tough," Meyer said. "But that kind of goal of getting back for baseball is in the back of my head the whole time. That's what kept me going in therapy. Just kept me pushing myself. It was tough, but I think it made me a stronger person."
Eventually Meyer's recovery was moving ahead of schedule, and close to the end of basketball season, he was back on the court. Next was baseball season. Meyer was getting closer to full strength, but wasn't quite there.
"It was one or two weeks before the season was when I could start swinging the bat, full-go," Meyer said. "I started off really rusty, really slow. But then, once I kind of hit my stride, I felt like I was back to the old Nash."
Meyer went on to have another great baseball season. He received all-league, all-district, and all-state honors for his play at first base.
But there was still the question of where Meyer was going to college, and which sport he would play.
"I had a lot more interest in football from colleges before the {2023] season," Meyer said. "I had some from baseball too. I knew I wasn't done. I wanted to pick one and continue playing, but I didn't know which one."
That's where Terra State baseball came in.
"[Recruiting coordinator Jake Wilson] created a really good relationship, and once I stepped on campus, I've loved it since then," Meyer said.
Meyer signed his letter of intent Wednesday. In the meantime, he's spent part of his summer giving hitting lessons to younger kids in the community. He says he loves giving back to kids who want to be good baseball players too.
"I thought I needed to give back somehow, someway," Meyer said. "I had a lot of people help me out when I was younger. So if there was anything I could do to help a younger kid out who isn't as confident in his swing, maybe if I'm there to help coach him along. I didn't know if I'd get that many bites, but I have. I think I have more fun than they do. I look forward to each one."
Meyer will be moving to Terra State's campus in August, where he plans to major in business. He's expected to be one of the top players on the baseball team.