Yohannes Van Meertens College Decision rundown: Where’s he going?
Once-in-a-generation distance talent Yohannes Van Meertens out of Flagstaff High School has narrowed his college decision down to six schools- BYU, Oregon, North Carolina, Oklahoma State, Florida, and Wake Forest. This a recently-narrowed down list of fifteen schools, that included other schools like Northern Arizona, Stanford, Colorado, Washington and more.
Van Meerten posing after his second place finish at NXN last year
Via his social media accounts, he’s taken visits to North Carolina, Oregon, BYU, Northern Arizona, and most likely others schools on his list. Van Meerten took his North Carolina visit with Colorado standout Oliver Horton and Great Britain athlete Micheal Clark. His Oregon visit was taken recently with California prep standout Lucas Alberts. No social media posts have been made about Oklahoma State, Florida or Wake Forest visits - also schools in his final six. He also took an unofficial visit to his hometown university and cross country powerhouse Northern Arizona; but it looks like staying home in Flagstaff won’t be happening, as his final six schools don’t include the Lumberjacks.
Where’s he most likely going?
Just looking at his social media postings, he made an official Instagram post with multiple photos from his visit to North Carolina. He’s also been very vocal about his friendship with Oliver Horton, who took the visit with him, as well as Caden Leanord, who was just behind him at NXN and is committed there.
BYU has also been in the race to sign Van Meerten, as assistant coach Ryan Waite attended his state championship meet where he smashed the Cave Creek Golf Course meet record in 14:56.2. He also recently posted a Tik Tok of him at his BYU visit. Van Meerten is not a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, also known as the Mormon church, but has expressed his interest in the coaching staff and the program. Some of BYU’s non-LDS distance stars have consisted of Carter Cutting, Rory Linkletter, and Nico Montanez.
Van Meerten has also been excited about his contact with Oregon, posting various screenshots of his communication with the coaching staff and athletes. Although no visit photos have been posted, he has expressed much excitement about possibly becoming a Duck.
If I had to pick, my crystal ball would point towards North Carolina, Oregon, or BYU. I’d bet UNC and Oregon are close up front, with BYU following shortly behind.
Van Meerten on his most recent visit to BYU
Van Meerten says he looks to make his final college decision next month, via his social media. There’s no word if he will cut down his list one more time before announcing, or announce his pick from his latest final six schools graphic.
Van Meerten recently ran 8:53.13 for 2 miles at the New Balance Indoor National Championships in Boston, MA finishing 4th in the championship section. No word when he will open his outdoor season in Arizona, or if he will compete at the Chandler Rotary Invitational this weekend.
