The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1396591
AUGUST 2021 THE WOLVERINE 17 INSIDE MICHIGAN ATHLETICS There's a policy on the Michigan men's track and field and cross country teams: Nothing is off limits, and nobody has to struggle alone. Whether that's an academic issue, a personal problem or an athletic trial, the group has each other's back; it fights together. The story of sixth-year senior distance runner Devin Meyrer exemplifies the policy to a tee. Meyrer joined the pro- gram after two seasons at Baylor, where he was an All-Big 12 performer in cross country but felt he outgrew the pro- gram and needed a change. He contacted multiple schools while in the transfer portal, but only visited one — Michigan — and decided to join the squad after receiving an offer. "I only took one visit, came to Michi- gan, kind of fell in love and announced my decision from there," said Meyrer, whose Baylor team competed at U-M during the 2018 season, allowing him to get his first look at the campus and facilities. "It was a pretty streamlined process; it was really nice." Three years later, when asked how his experience has gone, Meyrer noted: "It has exceeded my expectations." But that isn't because he's had a per- fect journey, or that everything has gone the way he planned it. He is now a two-time All-American (2019, 2020) in cross country, and was named a first-team All-American dur- ing this past spring's indoor season (distance medley relay). Meyrer, who is pursuing a master's of social work on the interpersonal practice in integrated health, mental health and substance abuse pathway, has also excelled in the classroom, having been named to Col- lege Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) Academic All-District 5 team last year. But he's faced some bumps in the road, too. Since enrolling at U-M, Meyrer has battled back from an Achilles injury in 2019, dealt with the loss of his father that same year and, as a captain, helped his team navigate through tumultuous and uncertain times due to COVID-19. "When I came in, I wasn't expecting to be thrown into a lot of adversity, but I was, and I think the best part about Michigan is that I had that space to fig- ure out who I was in that adversity," Meyrer said. "It's micro and macro. Be- ing in classes in my social work pro- gram and also as an undergrad, with so many people with so many differ- ent walks of life, and truly having your identity and your beliefs challenged — I think that's a priceless attribute that people can have and an experience that everyone needs to have so you can figure out who you are. "And then moving all the way up to being a captain and going through a pretty significant life tragedy, but be- ing able to go through that also with the support system in Michigan, of teammates and staff and faculty. Hav- ing that web of support to really be able to figure out who I was in proba- bly the biggest challenge that I've ever faced — that's what I value so much, and that's the priceless part and the ex- pectation-exceeding part of Michigan. "Even though a lot of things have been difficult, every single one of them has been purposeful and has paid off in the long run. I finally know who I am and what I can do. I've learned to build a support system, but also support oth- ers, which is a really valuable trait and attribute to have in sport and in life." All that adversity Meyrer has faced? He's better off for it now. So are his teammates, and the same goes for his future coworkers. And he couldn't have gotten to the place he's at without his experiences at U-M. "I'll forever be grateful for the support system that Michigan has provided me," he said. He's got one year left, and the captain has one goal in mind when it comes to his athletic career. "I want our team to lift a trophy," he concluded. — Clayton Sayfie Meyrer is the school-record holder in the indoor 5,000 meters, a race he earned second- team All-America honors in during the 2020-21 season, and a two-time cross country All- American, and earned first-team All-America honors with the distance medley relay team this past indoor season. PHOTO BY ANGELA FIENO/COURTESY MICHIGAN ATHLETICS Student-Athlete Of The Month Men's Track And Field Sixth-Year Senior Devin Meyrer