Nick Merillana steps into his first year as an assistant coach in charge of distances for the Portland State cross country and track & field programs during the 2025-26 school year.
Merillana brings a youthful energy to the Vikings’ coaching staff, having competed as recently as the 2022-23 school year for Minot State University. Merillana served as a graduate assistant at his alma mater for the 2023-24 school year, then as an assistant coach at Jessup University in 2024-25.
“We’re excited to welcome Nick Merillana to the Portland State track and field family,” Blue said of Merillana. “His expertise, work ethic, and passion for developing athletes will make an immediate impact on our program. Nick’s commitment to excellence aligns perfectly with our vision, and we can’t wait to see the results of his leadership.”
In one year at Minot State, Merillana coached athletes to five school records as well as a conference indoor title and an all-conference honor outdoors. Bailey Wride claimed the conference title under Merillana, winning the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) Indoor Championship in the 600 meters. Wride set the record at the 600 meters that season, as well as the 1,000 meters. Nicole Reeves, meanwhile, set the school record in the women’s 3k steeplechase, while also placing third at the NSIC Outdoor Championships to earn all-conference honors.
At Jessup University this past fall, Merillana helped lead the men’s cross country program to its first team win at a meet in 10 years. The accomplishment earned the team Pacwest Team of the Week honors, a first for the program.
Additionally, Merillana led Zachary Heberlein and Cheyenne Ullrich to the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) Cross Country Championships. Four more of Merillana’s athletes qualified for the NCCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships this past spring.
“I am beyond thankful and excited to receive this opportunity to work with Coach Blue, and the coaching staff at Portland State University as an assistant for the track and field & cross country programs. It is a great honor to be able to join this program as we work to help develop these student-athletes in all aspects of their collegiate journey,” Merillana said of his hire.
“Alongside the coaching staff and the community of Portland State University, I hope to help create a culture that is focused on trust, resilience, and tenacity on and off the track. I am very grateful for Coach Blue trusting me with the opportunity to work with these student-athletes, and I cannot wait to hit the ground running.”
Off the track, Merillana helped guide six athletes to All-Academic Team of Excellence awards from the NSIC while at Minot State. Meanwhile, Merillana led three athletes to NCCAA Scholar Athlete honors during the 2024 cross country season at Jessup.
