As the Meier family gathered together to celebrate the conclusion of the Michigan Division I state track and field meet, Hannah Meier had plenty to celebrate. The graduating senior won four events for the second year in a row (two individual and two relays) to lead Grosse Pointe (Mich.) South to a second consecutive team title. In the process, Meier set two new state records, blazing to new and mationally competitive marks in the 800- and 1600-meter races.
In fact, Meier’s races had just one drawback: The person who was most excited about Hannah Meier’s accomplishment was also the person who was most disappointed to have come so close to an individual title and still finish in second. That runner was her twin sister, Haley Meier.
As reported by the Detroit News and MLive.com, among other sources, Hannah and Haley Meier dominated both the 800- and 1600-meter distances at the Division I meet, pushing each other to new heights. Motivated in large part by Haley’s speed behind her, Hannah Meier’s 4:39.23 time in the girls’ 1600-meter run is the sixth fastest American junior time of all-time.
"The Meier girls, I don't think I've seen two girls have such an impact on the sport," Grosse Pointe South track coach Steve Zaranek told the News. "The impact they've made on track and field has set the standards.
"Nothing Hannah does surprises me. She communicates with me so well. It's going to be a long time before we see anything like this again."
Grosse Pointe South may not see a similar set of twins for some time, but the twins will likely see more top notch races like the ones they just completed sometime soon. After their junior season the duo competed at the U.S. Olympic Trials, and they could very well both be contenders for the U.S. Olympic team in Rio come 2016.
Perhaps then Haley will finally get the best of her slightly more celebrated sister. Until then, she’ll continue to be proud of their accomplishments and enjoy the ride as they both progress, together whenever they can.
"It's really strange when we don't run together,” Haley Meier told MLive.com for a previous story. “I get nervous for Hannah but I'm also excited for her."
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