The next few months could be very special for Flagstaff senior distance runner Yohanes van Meerten. The past year has already been specia for van Meerten, who became among the nation’s best, committed to Oregon and signed a Name, Image and Likeness deal with On Running.
He may top all of that this fall.
Headed into the 2026 cross-country season, van Meerten is ranked third in the country for returning athletes in the 5,000 meters at 14:25.7. He is already the Arizona state record holder in the 3,200 meters for track and field (8:43.67), and could add another. Gilbert Highland grad Leo Daschbach, one of the greatest prep runners in state history, holds the state record in the 5,000 at 14:14.2.
He isn’t targeting any time specifically. “I want to
focus on winning races this year,” he said. Still, a lot of eyes are on him to see just how fast he can run.
“We're all waiting to see,” Flagstaff coach Trina Painter said. “Last year, I think Yohanes surprised some people. I think some people anticipated him running relatively fast.
“I do think that records potentially can be broken. But truly, when we sat down to talk about this next year, the focus was on improving his training, and focusing there, and sharpening his race skills. I think that the races will take care of themselves and the times will take care of themselves, instead of us chasing a time.”
The summer was a gradual build-up for van Meerten, who reached 65 miles a week at the peak of his training up at Flagstaff’s 7,000 feet of elevation. He’s working his mileage down in preparation for the upcoming season, which starts on Saturday, Aug. 29, at the Peaks Invitational on the Eagles’ home course.
The senior, who was No. 1 in The Republic’s preseason rankings, has gained confidence in the past year, highlighted by his second-place finish at Nike Cross Nationals in Oregon. He’s eager to start the new season after picking up a few tips from Jackson Spencer, who was the National Gatorade Player of the Year.
“I'm excited to go and see what I could do,” van Meerten said. “I just actually want to focus on winning races, more than running fast times this year. That was a big thing. I was talking to Jackson (Spencer), that’s what he focused on. So I think a big thing for me is just to be focused on winning races.”
On the topic of winning races, Nike Nationals is the goal.
“Well, I mean, why would we not, right?” Painter said.
Nobody from Arizona has ever won Nike Nationals. It would be a historic moment for the state and offers a tantalizing future for those involved. But there’s still the matter of earning and growing.
For all that he has accomplished, van Meerten, a former basketball player, is only a few years into this sport.
“He's still relatively young as an athlete at that high level,” Painter said. “He doesn't have that many years of experience there. So he continues to learn race strategy, pacing skills, when to make the move, how long can I hold on, you know, all of those things. He's learning how to win. He has won quite a few things, but he still wants to figure out, how do you continue to dominate and win?”
One of the fastest distance runners, one with historic potential, that Arizona has ever seen hailing from Flagstaff is almost poetic. The city has become a mecca for professional distance runners, with its wealth of trails and thin oxygen creating the ultimate training atmosphere.
He was adopted from Ethiopia when he was 1 year old and has called Flagstaff home ever since.
“It's a big pride saying I’m from here,” van Meerten said. “And you get to go and show them what Flagstaff can do in the high school realm too.”
Logan Stanley is a sports reporter with The Arizona Republic who primarily focuses on high school, college and Olympic sports. To suggest ideas for human-interest stories and other news, reach out to Stanley at logan.stanley@usatodayco.com or 707-293-7650. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter: @LSscribe.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Best-ever? Flagstaff High star runner poised for historic season
