Meg Lutz
sprints to success

By Melissa Yerkov
Times Sports Editor

Meg Lutz has always loved life in the water.
The Nazareth Academy High School senior made her dive into competitive swimming more than a decade ago and has since earned a solid reputation, both with her Energy Swimming AAU team and the Pandas.
But things change.
And so did Lutz’s passion.
"Swimming was always important to me, but I also really enjoy running," said Lutz. "On Saturdays, I usually take my iPod and go out for a run. It’s relaxing for me.
"I didn’t have a great swim season freshman year and my dad convinced me to join track," she continued. "And now I’m really glad he did."
Lutz was a natural. The speedster soon teamed with Nazareth’s cross-country squad, as well as the indoor and outdoor track teams.
"I always liked to run," she said. "As I started getting more into track, swimming took a back seat. Swimming is fun, but it’s not my favorite sport anymore."
By her junior year with the Pandas, Lutz decided to bid farewell to her AAU swim squad to concentrate solely on her high school athletic commitments. After all, juggling four varsity sports at Nazareth was more than enough to keep her busy.
"My club team was very time-consuming. I would have morning practices and night practices, plus school. I still run all year round now," she added, referring to the three consecutive track seasons that she participates in at Nazareth. "It gets overwhelming sometimes, but I really love it. I like staying in shape."
The four-sport varsity athlete has sprinted to success many times this year — earning third place in the District I tournament on Oct. 26 at Lehigh University and scoring fifth place in the cross-country state tournament on Nov. 3 in Hershey, Pa.
"She’s unstoppable," said Danielle Wilson, athletic director at Nazareth. "She is one of these kids that is always pleasant and very humble. She’s a very talented athlete and I’m excited to see more good things from her."
Most recently, Lutz competed in the Indoor State Championships, held at Penn State University earlier this month. She placed third in the 3000m with a time of 10:14, a new personal best.
"It was good. I wanted to go a little bit faster but you can’t complain," said Lutz. "It was a good race. Everyone in the race ran really smart. It was exciting."
Lutz’s appearance at Penn State on March 1 did not come easily. In addition to qualifying for the indoor championship, she was invited to compete in districts with Nazareth’s swim team.
But she could choose only one.
"The indoor-track states were the same day as the swimming districts," she said. "I would have loved to go to districts, but track is more important right now. It’s not an easy sport. You really have to work for what you get. You have to have a lot of heart and a lot of desire."
Lutz’s decision earned her an opportunity to compete in the track state tournament, which will be held on Memorial Day weekend at Shippensburg University, as well as districts, held the weekend before at Coatesville High School.
"I’m really excited. I’m looking forward to it, because it’s my last big match at Nazareth probably, so I want to go out with a bang," she said.
Next year, Lutz plans to continue running at the collegiate level while pursuing a degree in either the medical field or education.
"The college search is going decently well," she said. "I’m trying to figure out which spot is best for me. Just want to run and get a good education."
Although her days of organized swimming have officially ceased, Lutz won’t stay dry for too long.
"I’ll still swim when I have off days," she said. "Swimming helps with lung capacity. It helps prepare you and keeps you in shape. There are days when I miss it and days I’m like, ‘Thank God I’m done.’
"But when I look back, I know I made the right decision." ••
Sports editor Melissa Yerkov can be reached at 215-354-3035 or myerkov@phillynews.com