WESTFIELD, Mass. – Westfield State sophomore Xavier Merkman follows a unique set of passions, as a thrower on the track and field team, and as a developing artist, who recently had his work featured in an exhibit at UMass.

Tossing around a 16-lb. shot put, or a 35-lb. weight is probably not the first thing that comes to mind when you visualize an artist.

Interestingly, it was Merkman's love and passion for art and graphic design led him to pursue track and field.

Merkman started in graphic design at Hampden Charter School of Science East in Chicopee, Massachusetts, creating social media for the men's basketball team, which eventually led to him actually joining in on some of the team's lifts as well.

"They all suggested that I try the track team, so outdoor came along and I did," Merkman stated.

It's not every day you hear of someone starting a sport their senior year of high school and then pursuing it at the collegiate level. At the Springfield College season opener, he recorded a shot-put throw of 9.71 meters and a weight throw of 9.96 meters.

Merkman admitted he was nervous when first got involved with track at Westfield State, but added that senior Shane Clark, an all-New England thrower, was someone who served as a mentor during Merkman's first year.

 "He [Clark] has been one of the biggest voices in keeping me grounded and realizing it's okay to be stressed, it's okay to be nervous," said Merkman.

"Xavier is a kind and thoughtful teammate who is always willing to get better," Clark stated. "His drive to get better and ask questions will certainly make him successful in life,"

A native of Springfield, Mass., Merkman is an art major with a concentration in graphic design. As well as being involved with athletics, Xavier also works in the SAIL (Student Activities, Involvement and Leadership) office in the unity initiative on campus.

When asked about how he got involved with Art, Merkman said, "As a kid I drew. I feel like everyone says that, it's something that I was in love with and then fell out of love with."

He then got back into it in high school when he needed designs for the social media page he was running for the men's basketball team, and he described himself as being self-taught and something that he felt came naturally to him.

 "I see art more as the trade that helped, rather than art for fun," said Merkman

Xavier Merkman is not your average college sophomore. He knows exactly what he plans to do with his skills after college.

"Freelance," he said. "As a kid I wanted to have three strains of income, it's something that I kind of planned my life by."

Merkman also hopes to work in graphic design long term.

The piece Merkman recently exhibited at UMass' Augusta Savage Gallery was titled, "Inner Turmoil," which focused on his Inner Turmoil and being proud of his blackness while being frustrated with being black in America. It is a self-portrait that includes a number of his questions and frustrations about his identity in America.

Merkman's work was included in the show "The Miracle Machine," which was described by the Massachusetts Daily Collegian as "a collection which focuses on the essence of being a Black male while highlighting the deep connection and vulnerability between the collaborators."

Merkman got involved with the show through Westfield State professor Dr. Imo Nse Imeh.

"I ended up taking one or two of his classes," Merkman said. "I ended up discovering we had mutual friends in the art space and he invited me to be a part of the project. I used it as a development process and I got to learn a lot being surrounded by those artists. I haven't really known a lot of artists so it was nice to have that mentorship."  

Merkman is a prime example of someone who is dedicated to his craft and someone who has taken advantage of every opportunity he has gotten so far in his college experience. With all of this commitment, he has a lot on his plate balancing academics, athletics, and his social life. He even talked about how it can be frustrating at times.

"It's a daily struggle," Merkman described juggling academics, athletics, serving as a resident advisor, and having a job on campus as well. "Some days, it's picking and choosing what gets done."

Because of how much he has on his plate, he said art has kind of been put on the back burner for the time being, but he has been planning some projects for the future. 

What drew Merkman to Westfield was the size of the school.

"It's not too large, it's easy to network and make those meaningful connections when you need to," said Merkman. Merkman also spoke about how being on a campus where most of the people know each other can make you feel more comfortable being yourself.

Merkman's Owls track and field team is preparing for the MASCAC Championship that will take place on Saturday, February 10. The meet will start with field events at 10:30 am and running events will commence at noon.

--  Written by Anthony Franco, sports information intern