South sophomore wins national title
at track indoors; first in school history

Grosse Pointe South sophomore Hannah Meier won the national championship in the one-mile run last weekend at the New Balance Indoor Nationals in New York City. Her twin sister Haley finished 17th in the same event.

The two qualified for the meet by finishing 1-2 in the Michigan state indoor championship meet, where Hannah set a new state record. Both are also two-time All-State cross country runners. The New York meet was against the top 27 milers in the nation, according to their coach, Steve Zaranek.

"This is huge," Zaranek said. "These were the top high-school milers in the country, and Hannah was the only sophomore there."

Hannah's winning time was 4:48.50. Haley's was 4:59.

The twins have been standout athletes on the local and state level since arriving at South last year. Hannah’s title is the first such accomplishment for a track athlete in South history, Zaranek notes.

It's too early to say where the twins' talent might take them, but for now, their coach said, there is "major university interest. Recruiting begins junior year. Lots of big colleges were (at the meet) with coaches. I would say at this point they are big-time college prospects for track and field."

Zaranek noted that although Hannah has a performing edge now, both sisters are "extremely talented athletes."

"What's wonderful about these two is, they do everything together," he said. "They train together, they support one another. Haley's No. 1 fan is Hannah, and Hannah's No. 1 fan is Haley."

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