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Get to Know Penn West Edinboro Distance Runner, Aaron Myers
Name: Aaron Myers
Hometown: Johnsonburg, Pennsylvania
High School: Johnsonburg Area High School
Pride Being From Paper City USA: “I think being a Johnsonburg native and a Johnsonburg Ram has helped shape me into who I am as a person and an athlete. Being from a small town has kind of always put a chip on my shoulder. A scrappy town is exactly what we had to be when it came time to compete against larger schools or in bigger competitions. I think this type of experience taught me that you get out what you put in, especially when it comes to finding success in a sport like running.”
High School Sports: Basketball, Cross Country, Track and Field, and Soccer
High School Accolades: 11-time varsity letter winner, three-time PIAA state qualifier in track and field, one-time PIAA state qualifier in cross country, ran second fastest time in Johnsonburg track and field history in the 800m (1:59), finished ninth overall in District 9 in cross country in his lone season,Upper Allegheny Valley Soccer League (UAVSL) All-Star in soccer, and Big Basketball All-Star
Primary Sports: Cross Country, Indoor Track and Field, and Outdoor Track and Field
Current School: Pennsylvania Western University – Edinboro (Penn West – Edinboro)
Why He Chose Edinboro: “Funny enough, when it came time to look at schools, I originally wanted nothing to do with the Erie area because I hated the drive there from Johnsonburg. I decided to give it a chance though and reached out to the coaches at the time about a visit. Edinboro checked all the boxes I was looking for in a school once I saw it. I was able to run there, the campus size and environment felt right for me, and the education program there is one of the best in the state, which was the real deal breaker for me. I am very, very happy with the choice I made to go there. I’ve already had so many great experiences and made many connections with people that I’ll carry with me for years to come. Edinboro feels like a home away from home.”
College Accolades: Two-time participant in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Cross Country and Atlantic Region Cross Country Championships, two-time Edinboro Scholar Athlete, and a PSAC qualifier in the 800m run
Major and Future Plans: Health and Physical Education major with plans to become a teacher and become a coach in some magnitude.
Perspective Being a Twin and Having Older Twin Siblings: “I believe I’m pretty lucky to be a twin and also have an older brother and sister, who crazy enough are also twins. Having my twin sister, Emma, makes it easy to have someone to relate to and both of us have always had the other one to turn to, since we experienced a lot of the same things and had the same friends growing up together. Having my older siblings, Jacob and Nicole, to guide us as well was nice. I was able to look up to them and learn how to go through life while also getting to build a relationship with all three of my siblings. I’m blessed to have the family that I do.”
Top Athletic Memories: “In high school, I have to say the district meets for track and cross country that I competed in were some special memories. In each one of those 800m races, and also my only year of cross country, I was going into them as somewhat of an underdog to make it to states, but in each race, I was able to punch the ticket, which felt so rewarding after each one. I’d also say upsetting the number two seed for soccer districts in overtime my senior year was a big one. In college, qualifying for outdoor track PSACs in the 800m freshman year is up there, as well as getting to run at conference and regionals for cross country my first two years.“
His Support System: “First and foremost has to be my family. My parents especially, Tracey and Jim, for being the ones that gave me the opportunity to be involved in sports and also helped me grow into who I am today. Each and every coach I’ve had all the way from elementary to high school in track, cross country, soccer, and basketball, made an impact on my athletic and life journey in some way as well. They all have taught me life-long lessons, and also have been close enough with me that I still stay in touch here and there with them. My coach at Edinboro now, Coach Dietrich, has been a key part of the success I’ve had at the collegiate level. He’s always trying to provide the best opportunities to develop as a runner, as well as a human being.”
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