WRESTLING

Head Wrestling Coach - Zach Merrill

Coach Merrill, a former international wrestler for Team Puerto Rico, enters his second season with the Eagles.

In the 2023-24 season, Coach Merrill produced five CIF Qualifiers for the Eagles at 126, 132, 150, 157, and 285, with Shane Linehan placing 7th in CIF at 157, and was awarded the 2024 Trinity League Coach of the Year for his efforts in turning the wrestling program around.

Coach Merrill was a three-time Desert Valley League Champion, two-time CIF Champion, three-time State Qualifier, and State Placer for Palm Desert High School, two-time NCWA National Champion for California Baptist University, and an Academic All-Big 12 First Team Selection for the University of Oklahoma. He was Palm Desert High School's very first CIF Champion and State Placer and totaled 105 career wins during his collegiate career before starting an international career for Team USA. During his time with Team USA, he qualified for the 2016 Olympic Team Trials at 97kg Greco-Roman and was the 2017 University National Champion at 97kg Greco-Roman, defeating eventual 2020 Olympian G'Angelo Hancock in the finals. After Team USA, he wrestled for Team Puerto Rico and was a three-time Puerto Rican National Champion, a Silver Medalist at the 2018 Central American and Caribbean Games at 97kg Freestyle, and a Bronze Medalist at the 2020 Pan-American Olympic Qualifying Tournament at 125kg Freestyle.

“We are fortunate to have Coach Merrill lead our wrestling program,” said Santa Margarita Catholic High School Vice President of Athletics Jim Hartigan. “Coach Merrill is a passionate coach who understands the mission of our school, the strategies of wrestling, and how to connect with today’s student-athletes. I am looking forward to the future of Eagle wrestling under the guidance of Coach Merrill.”

Assistant Wrestling Coach - Joseph Nava

Coach Nava, a former college wrestler for Santa Ana College, enters his first season with the Eagles.

Coach Nava was a two-time Coastview League Finalist, Coastview League Champion and CIF Finalist for Mission Viejo High School, two-time Southern Regional Placer, a CCCAA State Finalist, and an All-American for Santa Ana College. Coach Nava also finished as Most Valuable Wrestler during both his high school and collegiate careers. He then transferred to California Baptist University, where he received his Bachelor's Degree in Psychology with an emphasis in Sports and Performance.

In his personal life, he is married to his lovely wife Mariana, and enjoys playing guitar, shopping at Costco, and spending time with his dog Bambi.

"Coach Nava is passionate and hungry, which is exactly what we need to continue building Santa Margarita Wrestling into the program it deserves to become, and he has a deep passion for helping others," said Santa Margarita Catholic High School Head Wrestling Coach Zach Merrill.

Head Coaches

1987-1989: Jim Hartigan

1989-1990: Mike Elliot

1990-1992: Steve Glassey

1992-1993: Bryan Campbell

1993-2001: Tom Smith

2001-2017: Scott Sedlick

2017-2019: Scott Wigglesworth

2019-2023: Jed Clark

2023-present: Zach Merrill

State Qualifiers

1991: Mike Farris

2004: Ryan Lank

2010: Cameron Carlberg

2010: Damon Couch

2010: Jared Fier

2014: Jeff Holsinger

2019: Nate Clay

CIF Champions

2010: Cameron Carlberg

2010: Damon Couch

2013: Jeff Holsinger

2014: Jeff Holsinger

2014: Nathan Fier

2019: Nate Clay

CIF Medalists

1990: Matt Deller (5th)

1991: Matt Deller (6th)

1991: Mike Farris (3rd)

1992: Matt Von Der Ahe (3rd)

1997: Tim Mulhere (2nd)

2002: John Pollak (2nd)

2002: Corbin Saunders (5th)

2002: Josh Williams (5th)

2003: Jon Castellanos (2nd)

2003: Eric Coppock (5th)

2004: Eric Coppock (2nd)

2004: Ryan Lank (4th)

2005: Eric Lake (5th)

2005: Sam Carreon (4th)

2006: Biagio Scarpello (2nd)

2006: Eric Lake (3rd)

2006: Sam Carreon (4th)

2006: Mike King (6th)

2007: Joey Hoff (5th)

2008: Justin Couch (4th)

2009: Cameron Carlberg (3rd)

2009: Damon Couch (3rd)

2010: Cameron Carlberg (1st)

2010: Damon Couch (1st)

2010: Jared Fier (2nd)

2011: Cody Smith (5th)

2012: Cody Smith (2nd)

2013: Jeff Holsinger (1st)

2013: Logan Voorneman (2nd)

2013: Andrew Clayton (3rd)

2013: Nathan Fier (5th)

2014: Jeff Holsinger (1st)

2014: Nathan Fier (1st)

2017: Nate Clay (5th)

2018: Nate Clay (4th)

2019: Nate Clay (1st)

2022: Brennan Maeda (6th)

2023: Dominic Ochoa (6th)

2023: Adrian Hadis (8th)

2024: Shane Linehan (7th)

1987-88 Wrestling Team (Head Coach: Jim Hartigan)

Row 1: Sergio Muniz, Al Pereida, Chris Aubertin, Randy Hernandez, Dan Witting, Kevin Courtney.

Row 2: Tom Adams, Chris Murray, Scott Kinsey, Damian Mathis, Greg Warrington, Trent Bangerter, Dorian Martin, Shane Mielke, Jason Ortiz.

Row 3: Nick Zubia, Brent Coplan, Jim Halloran, Mike Teichmann, Pat Keane, Joe Vetter, John Hutchinson, Greg Boger.

Row 4: Coach Larkin, Mike Farris, Nathan Beckett, Matt Deller, Ron Mehrens, Todd Hesford, Coach Hartigan.

Not pictured: Paul Ambrose.