Coming from Folsom, California, Leo Merle is an adaptive track and field athlete currently training for a spot on the U.S. Paralympic Track and Field Team in Tokyo. Studying in the dental program, Leo is the president of Michigan’s first-year dental class. Leo picked up track and field in search of a lightweight sport. By eighth grade, Leo enjoyed running more and more, becoming involved in cross country as well. Besides track and field and cross country, Leo has previously been involved in basketball, baseball, soccer, lacrosse and competitive shotgun clay target shooting.
Athletic Career:
- Top 20 placement in National Competition for Competitive Shotgun Shooting
- Current U23 Adaptive Sports 5k National Record Holder
- 2019 U23 Adaptive Sports 5k National Champion
- 3rd Place in California Interscholastic State Championships for Competitive Shotgun Shooting
- 4 Year Varsity Athlete at UC Santa Cruz for Cross Country and Track & Field
Personal/Academic
- Studied abroad in the Netherlands for 6 months
- Conducted research for 3.5 years where he functionalized a system that could allow an operator to research cellular pathways in individual cells
- Eagle Scout
- President of U-M's first-year dental class
