The state’s returning Gatorade Girls Track & Field Athlete of the Year, the 5-foot-4 junior swept the 800-meter run and the 1,500-meter run for a second straight year at the state meet this past season, leading the Patriots to a sixth-place finish as a team. Merrill also took ninth at the New Balance Nationals Outdoor in the 800, and her clocking of 2:08.90 came within a half-second of the state record and ranked No. 20 in the nation among prep competitors this spring at the time of her selection. She also was ranked nationally in 2017 the 1,500-meter run (4:37.73, No. 38) and the Mile run (4:56.56, No. 64).
Merrill has maintained a weighted 3.99 GPA in the classroom. She will begin her senior year of high school this fall.
Merrill has volunteered locally at an animal shelter and she has donated her time as part of multiple initiatives through her school’s Community Service Club.
