Bio

Michael Merchan serves as the Head Cross Country Coach at Fairmont Preparatory Academy, a role he has held since 2022. Since taking over the program, Coach Merchan has helped lead the Huskies to consistent success, including a Girls San Joaquin League champions title in 2022 and multiple CIF-SS Prelims appearances, highlighted by the girls and boys team qualifying again and again from 2022 to 2025. His teams are known for racing with heart, maturity, and a strong commitment to working together as a unit.

Originally from Puerto Rico, Merchan has been a lifelong runner and competed at the NCAA Division I level for California State University, Northridge. As a collegiate athlete, he specialized in the middle-distance and distance events, achieving personal bests of 1:50 in the 800m, 3:49 in the 1500m, and 24:32 for the 8K in cross country. His experience training and competing at a national and international level strongly shapes his coaching philosophy—blending smart, patient training with a competitive mindset and daily discipline.

In addition to coaching, Merchan works full time for Fairmont Schools and ISP as a videographer and photographer on the Marketing team. He spends his days telling student stories through film and photography, then brings that same creative energy and attention to detail to the cross country program—building a team culture that is both high-performing and deeply connected. Coach Merchan is passionate about helping athletes of all levels grow, stay healthy, and discover how running can change their lives well beyond high school.