The 5-foot-9, 140-pound senior won three individual events at the Division 2 state meet this past season, leading the Lions to the state championship as a team. The state’s returning Gatorade Player of the Year in boys track and field, Merchant broke the state record in winning the 3200-meter run with a time of 8:52.53. He also captured the 800 in 1:59.04 and took the 1600 in 4:15.28. He was named Most Outstanding Athlete at the state championship meet.
Merchant has maintained a 3.67 GPA in the classroom. He has signed a National Letter of Intent to run on scholarship at Northern Arizona University this fall.
Merchant has volunteered locally on behalf of Anchorage Rescue Mission and youth running programs.