Meryah Creekmore Breeden came to Chowan in the Fall of 2000 as one of then-coach Meredith Long's original recruiting classes. Meryah came to Chowan as one of the top infielders for a very successful Princess Anne High School softball squad in nearby Virginia Beach, Virginia.
Over her four-year career at Chowan, Meryah excelled on the field and in the classroom. She broke several long-standing softball program records including homeruns in a season and homeruns in a career over her four years. Academically, the Criminal Justice Major graduated with honors and was a member of the Dean's List and President's List.
Meryah was a four-year starter for Chowan as a first baseman where she posted many impressive numbers for the team. She played in 151 games over her career at first base where she tallied 154 career hits, 111 career RBI, 41 career doubles, and 16 career homeruns, which is still a career program record.
She is the second all-time leader in RBI with 111 career RBI. Meryah batted over .300 every season for the team and ended her career with a .343 career batting average. She was named to the USA All Conference Team two times and was an integral part of the team's 2003 USA South Conference Championship. Over her four years, the team won 77 times and claimed one USA South Conference Title.
Long said of her former player, "Meryah will always hold a special place in my heart as one of my first recruits at Chowan. She helped shape the foundation for several seasons of program success. She was a tough competitor and held herself and her teammates to high standards on and off the field of play."
She graduated from Chowan in the Spring of 2004 with a BS in Criminal Justice. She is currently a Lieutenant in the Norfolk Sherriff's Department in Norfolk, Virginia. She is an active member of the Hostage Negotiation Team, certified through the FBI. She teaches new recruit courses at the Norfolk Sherriff's Office Academy and also holds specialty training and certifications in Defensive Tactics, Defensive Driving, Firearms, and Chemical Munitions. She is also certified through the Virginia Gang Association as a Gang Specialist and regional instructor for the "Refuse to be a Victim" program. She currently serves as Lieutenant in Charge of Community Engagement for the Norfolk Sheriff's Department.
Meryah is married to Allison Breeden Creekmore. They reside in Virginia Beach, Virginia with their two children, Trey Sharpley, 15, and Aidan Patrick, 8.
