Colgate University Athletics

Before Colgate
Merino completed a four-year varsity career at Dacula High School. A 2026 Honor Graduate and two-time team captain for the Falcons, the elite midfielder amassed 78 career points (31g, 47a), capping off his prep career with a dominant senior season featuring 17 goals and 18 assists. He twice earned Region Midfielder of the Year, First Team All-Region, First Team All-County, and team Offensive Player of the Year honors (2025, 2026), following a Second Team All-Region nod in 2024. The program record-holder for most goals (5) and assists (4) in a single game, he also guided Dacula to an elite eight appearance in the state championship playoffs. On the club circuit, he competed at the highest level for the Gwinnett Soccer Association in the ECNL from 2022 to 2026.