Meet the 2017 Competitors: Dana Mecke

Dana Mecke | Women’s Elite Mile

Social Media: Twitter | Instagram | Blog

College: University of Texas at San Antonio
Sponsor / Club: Brooks / Texas Elite
1500m PR: 4:11.92
Mile PR: 4:32.70

I work part-time as a biomedical engineer for a medical device company, Metric Medical Devices, Inc. We innovate and manufacture orthopedic implants for small bone fixation (the bones in your hands and feet).
I became a biomedical engineer because I was incredibly interested in prosthetic limbs and I was inspired by my uncle who lived with muscular dystrophy. Everything that kept him alive and helped him live a normal life with his disease was mechanical.
My first love was soccer. I played from when I was 5 until my junior year of high school. My nickname was Taz because I was all over the place on the field. I wanted to be the next Mia Hamm, I mean who didn’t?
I love animals and I have a problem trying to rescue wild ones. I once potty trained an abandoned baby deer. Turbo the deer only peed and pooped on newspaper in the house.
You will find me singing, dancing, and quoting SNL on the daily.

What actor would play the movie version of you? Kristen Wiig-She is hilarious.
What did you want to be when you grew up? In a 7th grade project I wrote that I didn’t want to be a doctor, but I wanted to help people and maybe get a science degree. Or I wanted to be an actress. It’s fitting that I became a biomedical engineer. Maybe the acting will come later.
Favorite post-run drink or snack? Breakfast tacos! Specifically from Mary’s tacos in Boerne, TX. I get the Silent Sean, it’s bacon, potato, egg, and cheese and it’s amazing.
What was your AIM screenname? I can’t remember mine, unfortunately.
If you had a “walk up” song as you approached the starting line, what would it be? Sandstorm by Darude. I imagine myself dancing with glow sticks very confidently as I walk to the line while strobe lights flash in the background.