In 6th grade, Merber began sprint training with Charlie Bell, a local high school coach from New Jersey.

[3] Merber attended Half Hollow Hills West High School in New York, where he competed in cross country and track.

[4] That summer, however, Merber stepped on a piece of glass during a training run near his home on Long Island, which put him out of competition for a year.

[5] Merber had a resurgent senior year, and in May 2012, at the Swarthmore Last Chance Meet, he outkicked Nate Brannen to set an American collegiate 1500 meter record in 3:35.59.

[7] After graduating from UT in 2013, Merber joined the New Jersey*New York Track Club under coach Frank Gagliano.