RUSD Wrestler Wins Second CIF State Championship

John W. North High School senior Coby Merrill won his second state title at the 2026 CIF State Wrestling Championships in Bakersfield on February 28. The heavyweight dominated his way through the bracket with four victories via pins, including three within the opening 38 seconds, and another with a 19-4 technical fall.  

Merrill won the championship in 37 seconds as he quickly pinned Clovis High School’s Andrew Arroyo in the first period of his final match. He is believed to be the first two-time state wrestling and three-time CIF Southern Section Masters champion in Riverside Unified’s history. 

According to The Press-Enterprise, Merrill became just the 13th boys wrestler in state history to advance to the state finals four times. He is just the ninth Inland boys wrestler to claim multiple state championships.