Excellence based on Merrett at the NSS

Cole Merrett continues to turn heads in ways that very few can do.

His successes as a student will draw anyone’s attention, and he’s also one worth tracking as he reaches high speeds on the hill.

Now in his Grade 12 year, it’s almost as if the ski racing athlete’s high school years have gone by in the blink of an eye. His first impression of the National Sport School (NSS), however, certainly stuck.

“I’d say it was the camaraderie around the students,” Merrett recalls. “I remember my first day of school, and instead of ‘Hi, my name is this,’ it was ‘Hi, my name is this and this is the sport I do.’”

Upon arriving from junior high, Merrett’s optimism for the NSS was abundant from the starting gate, yet the actual experience has still exceeded his expectations.

“For me, a big surprise was the level of teacher commitment to helping you pursue your academics while missing (large) amounts of school,” says Merrett. “As an alpine skier, this year I’ll miss upwards of 80 days of school. The first time that I missed a big amount of school, they gave me a full step-by-step plan of what the class was going to be doing and ways in which I could stay (on track) with them.

“The communication that they have is unreal. Often, I have questions, as many students do, so I write them a quick email and within minutes they’ll get back to me with a solution and ways in which I can continue to do my academics.”

The knowledge gained by Merrett at the NSS extends far beyond the everyday subjects he continues to conquer as proven by his 90-95% average.

“I’ve learned a lot about time management and diligence about being in school,” says Merrett. “When I’m missing lots of days of school, it’s really important for me that when I come off the slopes, I’m putting my phone away and I’m focusing on my school. I’m a very competitive guy, and so whether I’m on the slopes or in the schoolbooks, I’m always striving to be the best I can.”

Merrett’s accomplishments in his sport include being named to the provincial team, competing in the Canada Winter Games, and representing the Red and White at the 2024 Winter Youth Olympics in Korea. It’s quite the illustrious list for the skier whose first time on the snow took place right where he returned years later to attend the NSS.

“I think my first time skiing was here at WinSport,” says Merrett. “I probably would have been around three years old. As most people start to learn to ski, my parents put me in some boots and put me on some skis and threw me on the magic carpet. From there, I never looked back.”

Having since become hooked on the adrenaline rush of ski racing, Merrett’s next finish line in sight is graduating from the NSS this spring. He’ll then be after even more scholastic success, possibly in medical sciences or engineering.

His upcoming goals also include reaching the highest of heights in dashing down the mountains.

“In the near future, the NCAA would kind of be the goal,” says Merrett. “Competing at the collegiate level while pursuing my academics would be a dream. But in the long term, I would love to compete in the Olympics and represent Team Canada and hopefully win a gold medal.”

Few, if any, would be as deserving.