Submitted photo Boardman’s David Merdich throws at last year’s Division I state meet in Columbus.

All David Merdich thought about since the eighth grade is one thing – how can he get himself in a Youngstown State University uniform?

The Boardman High School senior knew that dream was fading after the COVID-19 pandemic took away spring sports.

No competition. No second chance to get to the Division I state meet in Columbus to throw better and get him noticed by prospective colleges after finishing 17th out of 18 athletes in the Division I boys shot put competition.

Recently, Merdich received the news he’s been looking for all his high school career. The former Boardman thrower is heading to YSU to be part of the Penguins track and field program.

“I’ve lived in Mahoning County my whole life,” Merdich said. “I’ve gone to a lot of YSU football games. I just love the school.”

It is a chance Merdich is going to take advantage of with the Penguins.

“YSU is always where he’s wanted to go,” Boardman boys track and field coach John Phillips said. “He’s going to have to earn being on the team as a preferred walk-on member, which is even better for a kid like Dave because of his work ethic. He will do everything humanly possible to make sure he earns his spot to be part of YSU’s program, which is one of the better track and field programs in the Midwest.”

Boardman was coming off a district runner-up title at the Division I Austintown District last season. Merdich won the shot put to vault to regionals en route to state.

“He was really motivated to get back there and get on that podium (top eight places), and not to be able to is certainly difficult,” Phillips said. “Getting this opportunity with Youngstown State is a little bit of a silver lining for him because I know he really wanted to earn that this spring. To able to get that opportunity without a track season, he certainly deserves it. I’m really happy for him.”

It’s because of Boardman throws coach John Pallini that Merdich has succeeded at Boardman.

“Our throws coach, John Pallini, being a former YSU athlete, has done a phenomenal job getting Dave prepared throughout his career for this and is going to continue to work with him as he transitions into becoming a Penguin,” Phillips said.

Merdich said he won’t forget what his throws coach has done for him.

“I owe my whole track and field career to him pretty much,” Merdich said of Pallini. “He’s been there for me from the beginning all the way up to the end. Even though this whole time, practicing by myself at different schools around the area, he’s been there, watching the film I record and send to him. He never gave up on me. For that, I’m forever grateful.”

The state of Ohio just declared last week athletes can resume individual workouts on school sites. Merdich is looking forward to improving himself over the summer with Pallini’s help.

“He said I have a lot left in the tank,” Merdich said. “There was a lot of untapped potential we didn’t get to reveal this season.”

When he gets to YSU and finally puts on that Penguins uniform, it’s going to mean everything.

“It’s going to be amazing. I can’t wait to get started,” Merdich said.