-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla Sam Mericle of St. Edmond

On the court, Sam Mericle always showed a serious and straight-forward attitude.

Off it, the St. Edmond senior would like to be remembered a different way.

“I was the funniest guy on the team,” Mericle said.

A two-time all-North Central Conference basketball selection, Mericle spent the past three years making opponents laugh as they tried to contain him. He finished his Gael career with 805 points and 118 made 3-pointers.

“I want everyone to think of me as a hard worker,” Mericle said. “Someone who thought positive every practice and game no matter the circumstance.”

This past winter, he earned second team all-league status after averaging 13 points and four rebounds a night, helping St. Edmond reach a Class 1A district final.

During a three-year cross country career, Mericle qualified multiple times for the state meet, helping the Gaels finish eighth as a team his junior season.

Later this year, he will look to add more state experience through track. Mericle earned a medal as part of the 4×800 relay and has also qualified in the open 800.

His journey has left plenty of key memories and moments, with one standing out from four years ago.

“As a ninth-grader I would tell myself that it goes by fast and the guys in the grades above you give the best advice,” Mericle said. “My freshman year, Hayden Mayer told me that the harder you work now, the easier it is later.”

Mericle plans to attend Iowa Central in the fall.

Vacation destination: Bahamas

People I would like to have dinner with: my mom, Elon Musk, Ansley Oswald.

It would surprise people that I: I am in chess club.

My sports role model:

Kobe Bryant.

My everyday role model: my mom.

I can’t go a day without: an energy drink/caffeine.

Most heated rivalry:

Mason City.

Favorite road trip: SE Polk.

What are you listening to right now? Untouchable by NBA Youngboy.

Favorites…

Team: Iowa State Cyclones.

Athlete: Kobe Bryant.

Class: Accounting.

Movie: Grown Ups.

Binge Watch: The Walking Dead.

Book: Harry Potter series.

Phone app: Tiktok.