Aries Merritt

'03 All-American hurdles, 2012 Olympics U.S. Men's Track Team, gold medalist in 110m hurdles, world record holder in 110m hurdles

What is Aries Merritt known for?

Aries Merritt, born July 24, 1985, in Chicago, Illinois, is a prominent American athlete known for his striking performance in hurdles. Merritt's family relocated to Marietta, Georgia, when he was young and he subsequently attended Joseph Wheeler High School there. During his time at Wheeler High School, Merritt excelled in athletics and was a member of the All-American hurdles team.

Upon graduation in 2003, Merritt attended the University of Tennessee, where he ran for the Tennessee Volunteers from 2003 to 2006. During his college years, Merritt demonstrated exceptional talent as a hurdler, earning the title of seven-time All-American and breaking Willie Gault's Tennessee Volunteers hurdles record. In 2006, Merritt had an undefeated record in all hurdles events and took home the gold in the 110-meter hurdles at the NCAA Championships.

Building upon his successful athletic career, Merritt was selected for the U.S. Men's Track Team for the 2012 Olympics. He showcased his immense talent on the international stage, winning the gold medal in the 110m hurdles. Furthermore, Merritt made history by setting a new world record in the 110m hurdles with an outstanding time of 12.80s on September 7, 2012.

Outside the Olympics, Merritt has consistently proven his prowess in hurdles. He achieved gold at the IAAF World Indoor Championships in 2012, and at the World Championships in 2015, both for the 110m hurdles. He also has an impressive track record in the World Junior Championships, having secured the gold in 110m hurdles at the 2004 championships. Merritt's victories and record-breaking performance have solidified his reputation as one of the top athletes in his field.

With an illustrious career filled with numerous accolades, Aries Merritt stands as a notable alumnus of Wheeler High School, inspiring future generations of athletes.