2007-08: Merkling finished 17th at the WAC Cross Country Championships to help lead the Vandal men to a runner-up finish. He also came in 122nd at the NCAA West Regional. On the track, Merkling ran a personal best 4:17.02 in the mile run at the WAC Indoor Championships, where he finished sixth and earned second-team all-WAC honors. He also ran the 3,000m at the event in a time of 9:13.02, which was good for 12th. At the WAC Outdoor Championships, he took sixth in the 1500m with a time of 3:59.94 and earned second-team honors. He ran a personal-best 3:58.01 in the 1500m at the Oregon Relays.
2006-07: Merkling finished 21st at the WAC Cross Country Championships and helped the men earn a third-place finish. He earned second-team all-WAC honors with a sixth-place finish in the mile run at the WAC Indoor Championships. He took eighth in the 1500m, 12th in the 800m and helped the 4x400m relay take fifth at the WAC Outdoor Championships.
2005-06: Merkling finished 83rd at the Sundodger Invitatational and 22nd at the Idaho Invitational. He redshirted the indoor and outdoor track and field seasons.
Personal: He is the son of Terry and Christine Merkling. He was born June 10, 1986 at Idaho Falls, Idaho. He has one sister, Courtney. He was team captain of the cross country team in 2003 and 2004 at Richland High School. He is majoring in Mechanical Engineering at Idaho.
Personal Bests:
Indoor:
800m: 1:56.64
3000m: 9:13.02
Mile: 4:16.85
Outdoor:
800m: 1:55.13
1500: 3:57.87
