Greater New Orleans Amateur Athlete of the Month The Greater New Orleans Sports Selection Committee began in 1958 when James Collins spearheaded a group of sports journalists to form a sports awards committee to immortalize local sports history. For 12 years, the committee honored local athletes each month. In 1970, the Sugar Bowl stepped in to sponsor and revitalize the committee, leading to the creation of the Greater New Orleans Sports Hall of Fame in 1971, honoring 10 legends from the Crescent City in its first induction class. While adding the responsibility of selecting Hall of Famers, the committee has continued to recognize the top amateur athlete in the Greater New Orleans area each month - the honors enter their 52nd year in 2010. To be eligible, an athlete must be a native of the greater New Orleans area or must compete for a team in the metropolitan region. Each of the monthly award winners are honored in the summer at the Greater New Orleans Sports Hall of Fame Induction and Awards Ceremony, hosted by the Allstate Sugar Bowl.

Van Meter was recognized as the field events MVP for Class 1A for the district and state.  In addition to her record-setting pole vault, she finished second in the state in the long jump with a mark of 17'7" and was runner-up in the 200 meters with a time of 25.88 seconds. In the District 9-1A Championships, she recorded 40 points, winning the pole vault, the javelin, the long jump and the 200-meter dash. Her marks in the 200-meter dash, the long jump and the high jump all set Country Day school records.

Van Meter also competed at the Allstate Sugar Bowl Track & Field Classic in March, setting a meet record in the pole vault.

Heading to the University of North Carolina in the fall, Van Meter not only excelled on the field, but in the classroom as well, finishing with 3.76 GPA.

Allstate Sugar Bowl Amateur Athlete of the Month Honors

2010

2009

2008

2007

 
2006

2005

2004

 
2002