Bill Merrell wrestled in each of his three years while a student athlete at Napa High. As a sophomore, Merrell posted a 22-4 record, led the team in victories “by pin”, and was voted team MVP and MEL Champion in his weight class.
In his junior year, Merrell again won the MEL championship, as well as the Northwest Sub-Section title and took his 33-0 record to the CIF State Wrestling Championship where he placed fourth.
As a senior Merrell posted a record of 44-0 and again won the MEL championship as well as the Northwest Sub-Section title. In 1982, Merrell finished fifth at the State Wrestling Championship.
Merrell won the State Championship Wrestling title while at Diablo Valley College and competed for Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, University of Nebraska and Chico State.
Merrell’s career as a Napa Indian featured a record of 108-8, three MEL titles and two top five finishes at the prestigious CIF State Wrestling Championships.
In 2004, Merrell was named to the Fairfield Daily Republic newspaper’s “All Time” MEL wrestling team.