At the Niketown 5 for Kids event, held at Green Valley HS in November of last year, no one was more dazzling to watch than first place finisher Nick Meis, 24, a first–year health teacher and assistant boy’s basketball coach at Lied Middle School. He completed the 5K run in 16:15 minutes, a 5:14 minute pace, which is comparable to some of the track athletes we will be watching at the 2008 Summer Olympic Games in Beijing.

“I train hard,” said Meis. “I run six to eight miles every day, either in my neighborhood or at Red Rock, weight train frequently, and every Saturday I try to find a race.”

He’s encouraging, incisive, competitive, and refreshingly honest. Such characteristics explain why he earned the NCAA Division III All–American accolades in the 1500m and the Distance Medley Relay, which he ran the lead–off leg while at the University of Wisconsin–Platteville.

He loves his school, his administration, coaching and teaching health. His profound outlook on running and teaching goes back to his days in high school.

“I was inspired to teach by my high school cross–country coach, Rob Serres,” said Meis. “He brought his enthusiasm from the track to the classroom.”

Meis is a wonderful guiding principle for tools to relieve stress.

“I use running as a stress relief,” said Meis. “You have to release some of your body’s beta endorphins to help you relax.”

Darryl Thomas

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