Leland Gilbert Merrill, Jr. (October 4, 1920 – July 28, 2009) was an American wrestler who competed in the 1948 Summer Olympics, for the United States.

Leland Merrill
Personal information
BornOctober 4, 1920
Danville, Illinois, U.S.
DiedJuly 28, 2009(2009-07-28) (aged 88)
Princeton, New Jersey, U.S.
Home townParkersburg, West Virginia, U.S.
Sport
CountryUnited States
SportWrestling
Event(s)Freestyle and Folkstyle
College teamMichigan State
ClubNew York Athletic Club
TeamUSA
Medal record
Men's freestyle wrestling
Representing the  United States
Olympic Games
Bronze medal – third place 1948 London 73 kg

He was born in Danville, Illinois and grew up in Parkersburg, West Virginia. Leland wrestled collegiately at Michigan State University, where his senior year he was team captain and finished third at the NCAA Wrestling championships. In 1948, he won the bronze medal in the freestyle welterweight competition.[1]

Merrill was West Virginia's first Olympic medal winner and the state's first Olympian.[2]

References

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  1. ^ Nedeff, A. George. (February 1978). Who Is Leland G. Merrill, Jr.. wvmat.com. Retrieved November 13, 2023.
  2. ^ www.wvmat.com https://www.wvmat.com/hallfame/merrill.htm. Retrieved February 17, 2021. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
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