Will Merritt (Senior, Smithsburg)
Photo by Craig Amoss
If it wasn't for Rohann Asfaw, Merritt would have gone undefeated against Maryland competition all the way through the state meet. Merritt was the second Maryland finisher (sixth overall) at the Oatlands Invitational but truly ran his best from the front as shown by two outstanding efforts at Boonsboro High School. The first, the Frank Keyser Invitational, he won by over 20 seconds in 15:06.30, and then he returned 12 days later and cracked 15 minutes in the three mile on the same course. After being the only boy at the state championships to crack 16 at Hereford this year, he finished right behind Dalton Hengst in sixth place at the Foot Locker Northeast Regionals. Merritt joined Hengst in San Diego where he finished 33rd at the Foot Locker National Championship.
WATCH Merritt become the only boy this season to crack 16 minutes at Hereford's famous three mile course!