2020 BV Athletic Hall of Fame: 'Relative talent' lands Mike Meyers in BV sports history books

Editor’s note: This is the third in a series of four recognizing three individuals and one state championship team that have been selected for induction into BV’s Athletic  \Hall of Fame this year.

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Mike Meyers’ two feet and sheer determination elevated him to great success as a Brandon Valley Lynx – and beyond.

The 1982 BVHS graduate established himself as one of South Dakota’s premier prep student-athletes in cross country and track and field, and garnered post-season accolades in basketball, too. He went on to fly fighter planes as a U.S. Navy man and South Dakota Air Guard member.

All of this and more are the reasons behind Meyers’ induction into the BV Athletic Hall of Fame this year.

“I really enjoyed the opportunity it (athletics) provided,” says Meyers. “I received a great education from passionate teachers and coaches, which allowed endless career options. The social side was very fun also.”

Competing for the Lynx in a trio of sports, Meyers collected a total of nine varsity letters: four in track and field, three in cross country and two in basketball.

The latter was his first love of the three, followed by baseball and track.

“The first two were more team sports with greater finesse, technique and whole team training involved,” he said.

Meyers was a staple as a frontrunner of BV’s cross-country program, being rewarded for his efforts with back-to-back Top 25 awards for his performances at state.

Under the guide of Coach Lyle Claussen for both cross country and track and field, Meyers said his biggest running inspiration was “relative talent.”

“Lyle Claussen always had us in peak form by the end of the season and my times made me competitive,” he said. “I was a regular runner until a few years ago when my knee started complaining.” To keep in shape, he now substitutes with stationary bike and elliptical workouts. 

Meyers was a fierce competitor on the track as well, ruling the middle-distance competitions, individually and in relays both. For 32 years, Meyers possessed the 800-meter school record and was a member of the record-setting BV Middle School medley relay that held until 2012.

It was as if the “stars aligned” to set the long-standing 800-meter school record, he tells.

“Lyle Claussen had me prepared and we had good weather days with great competition to run some hot times,” he reflects.

As for the medley relay record, Meyers said it meant even more because he was able to share in that success with his brother, Mark, Shane Metcalf and Mark Smith.

“I don’t think breaking any records was on any of our minds, but once again, Lyle had us set up right at the Howard Wood Relays with great competition,” he said.

Along with establishing a school record, Meyers made his mark at the state meet, claiming 800-meter champion honors while establishing a state meet record in that same event.

“Middle distance track, at least for me, is a bittersweet sport,” Meyers said. “You can’t just show up, so there are a lot of exhaustive workouts required to get there. Just before the race isn’t fun either with general nervousness and knowing you will hit an aerobic respiration, hopefully right at the end. It all came together that day and of course, if felt great.”

While the team and individual wins are cherished yet to this day, Meyers said he most enjoyed the “off the court” times with his teammates. Memories of the bus ride shenanigans, talk at the track camps and humor and comradery he had with hanging out with friends swirl through his mind.

One moment that stands out, Meyers recalls, is that in the early ‘80s, BV was considered a “small school” among its region counterparts that included Sioux Falls Washington, Lincoln and O’Gorman. At that time, regional meets were staged to qualify for state.

“My junior year we had an exceptional day in the distance events,” he reflects. “We won the 4x800, Scott Peterson won the 3200, I won the 800 and we went 1-2 in the 1600 with Scott again winning. I think we surprised legendary coach Rich Greeno from powerhouse Lincoln that day.”

He fondly remembers the head coaches who guided him through the seasons: Claussen in track and cross country; Lyle Pearson for basketball; and Ron Archer, who was a volunteer coach for BV’s Legion Baseball program.

“I was extremely fortunate to have these head coaches and their many assistants along the way,” he said. “They knew their sports and the character developments they provided reinforced the same values I received from my parents. They left an impression of hard work, confidence, fairness and responsibility I’ve tried to emulate through the years.”

He also acknowledges BV faculty that were influential in his success, citing Gary Stensaas and Jean Peterson.

“I took many classes from both and they provided an academic equivalent to what I gained from athletics.”

One teammate also garners recognition: Scott Peterson.

“We played basketball, baseball and ran similar events and had many tough workouts together,” he said. “He was a top athlete and helped me perform at my best.”

Meyers’ senior season of basketball landed him Big Eight All-Conference and All-State honors.

Meyers went on to attend Augustana College (now University), where he continued to make a mark in cross country and track and field for four years. He ran a leg of Augustana’s elite 1985 All-American 4x400-meter relay, and well remembers the glory.

“Although we didn’t have a big track team at Augie, we did have Jeff Gross,” he tells. “He was from Canton and could absolutely fly, especially on a running start of a relay hand-off (sub 45 second splits). ‘Bust your guy and just get the baton to Gross’ was our saying. Again, everything came together with the coaches and the competition for us to pop a hot time. South Dakota State University and the University of South Dakota had exceptional relay teams as well, but Jeff Gross buried them on the anchor.”

Following Augustana, Meyers went on to serve his country, dedicating 14 years to the U.S. Navy and an additional 11 years with the South Dakota Air National Guard.

He viewed the military “as an opportunity rather than service.”

“If anyone served in that situation, is was my wife, Betsy. I deeply appreciate her effort and endurance in handling the kids and essentially all things around the house during the lengthy deployments.”

Growing up, Meyers said he often considered flying military jets as “the coolest thing out there.” He was inspired to enlist in the Navy by fellow BVHS graduates, Hank Quantalone and Craig Anderson, both who became Naval aviators.

“With their stories and my dreams, I knew that if I didn’t pursue, I’d be a sad man down the road,” he explains. “My time in the Navy and South Dakota Air National Guard gave me ultimate career satisfaction. It also allowed me to work alongside outstanding individuals similar to my athletic teammates through the years.”

Often asked if he misses flying fighter planes, Meyers is quick to respond: “You can’t play high school basketball forever.”

“Sports absolutely prepared me by having the attitude of work hard, compete and go for it,” he said. “I really enjoyed the opportunity it (athletics). I received a great education from passionate teachers and coaches, which allowed endless career options.”

Meyers, who works for Delta Airlines, and his wife Betsy, are parents to four: Abby, 27, Luke, 25, Nickel, 23, and Jack, 20. They reside in Sioux Falls.