The pomp and circumstance of graduation is over for Louisville’s Kylah Meyer.
The opportunity to create more unforgettable memories as a high school distance runner isn’t.
Last week was jam packed on and off the track for Meyer. She won two Division II district championships at Austintown Fitch on May 20, graduated from Louisville on May 21 and won another district title on May 22.
The three wins at Fitch are Meyer’s first district titles in track.
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“It’s very special,” Meyer said. “It’s really crazy to think I actually did it. This has been a dream since my freshman year to finally win some of these district titles. To win three of them is very special to me.”
Meyer won the 1,600 in 5:05.81 and 3,200 in 10:58.70. She teamed up with Peyton Novosel, Noro Kiko and Amelie Anderson for a win in the 3,200 relay..
Don’t think the regional meet at North Royalton will be an eye-opening experience for Meyer just because these are her first district track titles. She has qualified for the state meet in at least one event every year since she was a freshman.
The district mountain in track and cross country was always tough for Meyer to climb because of the competition. Former Lake state champion Daniela Scheffler is an icon among Stark County girls distance runners. Scheffler’s graduation opened the door for Meyer to experience some winning postseason moments.
Winning, not just qualifying, at Fitch was a very big goal.
“I remember training a few days before and was like ‘This is the time to finally do it,'” Meyer said. “I watched the people I looked up to for years win district titles. It was finally my time to do it.”
There could be a few more wins for Meyer the next few weeks. She went into the district meet ranked No. 1 in Division II in the 3,200 with a season-best time of 10:33.11. She ran a blazing 1:06.71 on the final lap at the Stark County Championships to capture the win and establish a personal best.
Being ranked No. 1 in the 3,200 was news to Meyer until shortly before the postseason.
“I had no idea,” Meyer said. “The goal is to win. Hearing that I was seeded first gave me more confidence that I can do this.”
Meyer was rested when she ran the 1,600 on the final day of the district meet. A change in the postseason format shifted the 1,600 and 3,200 to different days this year. When both races were held on the same day, some runners chose to drop one in the postseason.
“Oh, my God, it’s very helpful,” Meyer said of running both individual races on different days. “Without that, I think it would have been a lot more challenging, especially the 1,600. I know I have some good competition in the 1,600.
“It was really nice to have a day to settle, relax and race the next day.”
Meyer’s 3,200 relay team also has plenty of postseason potential. The Leopards rose to eighth in the state by running a season-best time of 9:38.98 at Fitch.
“I’m super proud of them,” Meyer said. ” I think we have a chance to make it to state.”
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This article originally appeared on The Repository: Longtime district track dream comes true for Louisville’s Kylah Meyer
Reporting by Mike Popovich, Canton Repository / The Repository
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