Flagstaff High School standout Yohanes Van Meerten has committed the University of Oregon. Currently a junior, he had narrowed his search to a top-six schools by the end of 2025 before choosing the Ducks. Other schools in consideration were University of North Carolina, Oklahoma State, BYU, Florida, and Wake Forest.
Van Meerten has emerged as one of Arizona’s top young distance runners after being named the 2025-26 Gatorade Arizona Boys Cross Country Player of the Year. He finished second at Nike Cross Nationals, the highest placement ever by an Arizona prep, and crossed the line just 2.2 seconds behind the winner. He also earned All-American honors with a fourth-place finish at the Brooks Cross Country Championships, captured the AIA Division II state title in a course-record 14:56.2, helped lead Flagstaff to the team championship, and broke course records at both the Mt. SAC Invitational and the Arizona state meet. He continued his record-breaking junior season earlier this month, running 8:43.67 in the 3200 meters at the Arcadia Invitational on April 11 to set the Arizona state record.
