Yohanes van Meerten’s journey, from being abandoned in Ethiopia to becoming one of the top high school runners in the United States, is a story of resilience and focus. Despite his complex beginnings, van Meerten remains committed to his present and future endeavors.
As an infant, van Meerten was left near a building in Ethiopia and was soon taken to an adoption center. Reflecting on his early life, he shared, “I read the police report, it was like, I think it was behind a mall or something, and the police found me.” After spending several months in the adoption center, he was adopted by Sara Clancey and Brian van Meerten and moved to the United States.
This story is not uncommon in Ethiopia, where a 2025 UNICEF report states there are over four million orphans and abandoned children. The factors contributing to this include drought, HIV, poverty, and regional conflicts.
Clancey and Brian van Meerten were serving in the Peace Corps in Lesotho, South Africa, during his adoption. They both played significant roles in addressing the local HIV outbreak, providing medical care and resources. “It was a wonderful time,” Clancey recalled. “We got to see some really beautiful places and meet really wonderful people, an amazing experience.”
Now a senior at Flagstaff High School, van Meerten is set to join the University of Oregon’s esteemed running program next year. Known for his speed and leadership, he is one of the few high school athletes with an NIL deal and is considered an Olympic hopeful.
His mother, Clancey, fondly remembers his leadership qualities even as a child. “He was a wedding coach for some pretend weddings the kids were role-playing,” she said. “There’s a little 3-year-old kind of hobbling around and trying to lead everyone and tell them where to go and how to do things, and it was really cute. He always had a leadership mentality.”
Initially interested in basketball, van Meerten spent countless hours practicing his game, becoming known for his accurate shots. But his talent for running soon took precedence, and he pursued cross country with determination.
At a recent event, the Desert Twilight in Mesa, van Meerten finished fourth while battling food poisoning. His next challenge is the prestigious 78th Mt. SAC Cross Country Invitational in California on Oct. 24. Last year, he set a course record there, finishing the three-mile course in 14:10.1.
Despite his recent struggle at the Desert Twilight, fans continued to seek his autograph and photos, showing the impact he’s had within the cross country community. Flagstaff teammate Qalo Weimer noted, “I would say that really hasn’t changed him. He is really good at keeping that kind of stuff out of his personal life.”
His parents are proud of how he navigates the spotlight and pressure that come with his success. “He always has a smile on his face after the races,” Clancey said. “He’s really friendly with all the other kids. I don’t think Brian [van Meerten] or I have ever been under the spotlight like he has, and I just feel like he’s dealing with it in a very admirable way.”
Looking forward, not back
Van Meerten remains focused on his future, aiming to peak at the Arizona state meet on Nov. 14 at Cave Creek Golf Course. He mentioned, “I settle in the last two miles. If there’s no one around me, some people might call it cocky, but I kind of jog it in just because I don’t want to push myself any harder right now because it is only September, and we’ll be going for another few months.”
His decision to attend the University of Oregon was influenced by its running program and the opportunity to pursue a degree in business marketing, his dream career. “My main thing is to pay for college, because you know, college is so expensive,” van Meerten said. “I didn’t have the money to go to college. If I didn’t have this scholarship, I probably wouldn’t be going.”
Flagstaff coach Trina Painter has guided the Eagles to multiple state titles and individual championships. Speaking of van Meerten, she said, “Yohanes has an internal switch that when it turns on he is unstoppable, especially when combined with his natural talent.” She sees great potential in van Meerten’s future and anticipates his growth in the sport.
As van Meerten’s parents reflect, they hope for their son’s happiness in whatever path he chooses. Clancey shared, “We know he’s a hard worker. He has the talent and good relationships with others connections, and we will just kind of see where that leads him. We’re not able to predict, but we just want him to be happy wherever it is and whatever he’s doing.”
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