Caitlin Mertz '18 Recruiting Profile

My name is Caitlin Mertz and I am a Senior at Southlake, TX Carroll Senior High School. I have been running since the age of 5 with Coach Justin Leonard and Coach Nikki Gilley. They had a wonderful summer track program in the early 2000’s that fed the Middle School and High School distance programs. I made great strides and lifelong friends through this program and the Run Across TX camp, also hosted by Coach Leonard and his coaching colleagues. Running has always been a part of my life. My mother is a life long runner and ran a marathon pregnant with me! So my baby book has a marathon medal in it!

The Carroll HS program is incredibly competitive and I have made remarkable improvements in my times as I matured as an athlete. I know that since I am a young Senior (turned 17 in June), my best times are yet to come!

Running has taught me discipline; courage and that no matter what life challenges me with, I can overcome anything I set my mind to. I will run at the collegiate level.  The question is where? My coach always says “Hard work beats talent every day”, well I have talent and I work hard, so I know I can succeed at the collegiate level.

I am a well-rounded student and plan to study in the agricultural science and education department. When I am not running or studying, I am in the barn with my horse, Mr. Peaches. I have been riding horses since the age of 3, and work part-time at a therapeutic horsemanship school. I do compete in rodeos with Mr. Peaches and hope to bring him with me to college, if I have the opportunity to do so.

I will be a great asset to your distance running program. Please reach out and get to know me better!