Loading ...
Margaret Brennan ’13 | Staff Writer
Four of South’s top cross country and track runners earned national championships.
Hannah Meier ’13 won the 800 (half mile) event at the Brooks PR High School Invitational at the University of Washington on February 24. Two weeks later, she joined Haley Meier ’13, Kelsie Schwartz ’14 and Ersula Farrow ’15 at the New Balance Indoor Nationals in New York City to win a national championship in the 4 x 1 mile relay.
The Brooks PR High School Invitational is a prestigious meet and participation is welcomed by invitation only. Those in charge at Brooks identify the top 12 girls (and boys) in each event from all over the country, those runners are then invited to participate.
“It’s an honor for any runner to receive ‘a golden ticket’ in the mail. Brooks covers all the airfare, lodging, and necessities for the athletes, so it makes us feel like celebrities,” said Haley Meier.
Those invited to attend were Hannah Meier who ran the 1600 (mile), and Haley Meier who ran the 800 (half mile) both ’13 along with Schwartz who ran the 3200 (two mile) and Farrow who ran the 800 (half mile), Zaranek said.
Schwartz ran a near (PR) personal record, for the 3200 with a time of 11:05.4 putting her in 12th place.Farrow ran a career indoor best in the 800 at 2:11.1 ranking her in 5th place, said Haley Meier.
Haley Meier ran her second fastest indoor mile ever with the time of 4:46.5, putting her in 2nd place. Haley is now ranked third in the country for this event, Zaranek said. Hannah Meier ran her fastest indoor time for the 800 (half mile) to win the event with a time of 2:07.4. This time placed her in 1st place as well as ranking her number one in the country for the indoor half mile.
The Meier twins maintain their physical preparation for indoor meets by putting in their mileage, as well as speed and core workouts. They keep their mental attitude sharp and positive by competing in other indoor track races during the winter months, Zaranek said.
“I have struggled with illness and injury over the past year so once I was healthy, I worked my tail off, following the advice of my coach,” said Haley Meier. “To my advantage, I have three girls at my level who help push me to the next level, especially my sister. Without her, I don’t know where I would be with my running today. ”
“This is the longest stretch of the year for off season conditioning (between cross country and track) and I give the girls so much credit for the discipline needed to work out five to six days each week during the winter months,” said Zaranek. “The outdoor season will benefit from the indoor competition. These girls are incredible athletes and the experience of running against the nation’s top athletes will serve to move our girls to an even higher level this spring. We definitely have the finest group of experienced track distance runners in the country.”
