For the first time in over 30 years, a District 6 high school will not host the Andy Meyers Cross Country Invitational.  Athletic Director Mr. J.J. Behrens did not explain why the meet was not continuing, simply stating, “It is put on hold.”

When the Andy Meyers Invite started, Greeley Central and Greeley West rotated who hosted the meet.  About 10 years ago, Greeley West became the exclusive host.  

This is the first time (including the Covid season) that the Invitational has not been held since its creation.

The meet was named after a Spartan legend, who died in a car crash on August 14 1989. Meyers was known throughout the Greeley community for not only being a great athlete, but a great friend, opponent and student. He was seen as a role model for other athletes and his determination and dedication to be a better runner was inspriing to athletes throughout the city.

History teacher and former cross country coach Ms. Lea Sanford talked about how important the invitational was to the Greeley community during her time as a coach.  As head coach, it was her job to organize the course, get registrations, and lead the meet. “Getting to run and be a part of the invitational was a great feeling (for Spartan runners) to be  a part of Greeley West high school history,” said Sanford. 

Part of that history included Meyers’ appointments to the Air Force Academy, Westpoint, and the Naval Academy.  “All those place, you have to be appointned by a congressmen,” softball assistant coach Brian Holmes explained. “He would have been one of those kids who could have been president some day – something top of the line.”

Holmes played soccer with Meyers and graduated from high school with him and was a fan of his laid-back personality.

English teacher and swimming coach Colin Shaha is also a big fan of Meyers and has talked about him to his own athletes in the pool.  They, too, went to school together and knew one another.  In fact, Shaha ran against Meyers in a 2 mile event. “When I say I raced him, that means he lapped me in a 2 mile. He was on his last lap and he was moving, but still had enough energy to say, “Good job Colin, keep going,” said Shaha.

Shaha said he was surprised it had been cancelled, given it had been on the marqee outside the building when students returned to school.  “We have these events and it’s a time to silently reflect on the legacies (of those in the past) and I’m sorry to hear that,” Shaha said.

“It was well-attended, we ran it right around here,” Shaha continued.  “Why not just celebrate the Greeley West campus?”