About Us

Creating an army of grapplers who strive for excellence on and off the mats through wrestling and Jiu-Jitsu! Apex Grappling Academy is the Texas affiliate for Pedigo Submission Fighting. Come join the team!

Address: 2922 S Goliad St, 205, Rockwall, TX 75032 (The red building to the left of the Rise building)

Phone Number: 910-723-2330

Email: troymercer50@gmail.com

Social media: instagram , facebook , youtube

Custom gear: Cruz Combat - Discount code "APEX"

Sponsors: Scramble - Discount code "Troym"

Coaches:

Troy Mercer, Head Coach

Embarking on a wrestling journey at the age of 12, Troy quickly emerged as a force in the grappling world, leaving an indelible mark on both the high school and collegiate wrestling scenes. His high school career at Heath High School was nothing short of remarkable, amassing an impressive 140 wins and setting records that stood for over a decade. Troy's skill reached its peak with an extraordinary 46 wins in a single season, a feat that remains unmatched in Heath High School's history.

The culmination of his high school wrestling journey saw Troy achieve a 3rd place finish at the 2011 UIL Texas state wrestling tournament and a 2nd place finish at the 2012 UIL Texas State wrestling tournament. The recognition continued with the title of 2011 Super 32 All American, securing an 8th place standing on the national stage.

Transitioning to college, Troy wrestled at Ouachita Baptist University before making a mark at Lyon College. His collegiate wrestling career was highlighted by a top-16 finish at the 2017 NAIA National Qualifier, a 2nd place finish at the Midwest National Wrestling Qualifier, and the prestigious title of AMC Conference Champion. Earning a spot on the 1st Team All-Conference roster, Troy demonstrated exceptional skill and leadership in the college wrestling arena.

In the realm of American Jiu Jitsu, Troy attained the rank of Brown Belt under the guidance of Heath Pedigo. A former Fight 2 Win Champion, Troy boasts an impressive list of podium finishes at IBJJF events. Notable achievements as a purple belt include a Bronze medal at the 2021 IBJJF PANS, a Silver medal at the 2020 IBJJF NOGI PANS, and Gold at the 2021 IBJJF NOGI PANS. Troy continued their success with podium placements in 2022, securing Bronze at the IBJJF NOGI PANS and WORLDS, as well as a Silver in the IBJJF NOGI Worlds Absolute. After being promoted to brown belt, Troy also won Gold at the 2023 IBJJF PANS, bronze at the 2023 IBJJF PANS, and bronze at the ADCC 2023 Austin Open.

Beyond personal achievements, Troy has made a significant impact as a wrestling coach. Serving as the head high school coach for Dallas Christian for seven years, Troy has coached numerous State Champions and Placers. Under his guidance, the Apex wrestling program has produced athletes who have excelled at the college level and transitioned to successful careers in Jiu Jitsu. Apex has secured numerous team trophies at local, state, and national competitions, with a standout achievement being the Texas USA State championship in 2020 and runner-up honors in Freestyle State.

In the realm of Jiu-Jitsu coaching, Troy has guided eight Apex students to podium finishes at IBJJF PANS and Worlds. The team has also dominated local tournaments, including victories at Jiu-Jitsu World League, New Breed, and American Grappling Federation. Troy continues to shape the future of wrestling and Jiu-Jitsu, leaving an enduring legacy both on and off the mats.

Ted Gates

Meet Ted Gates, a seasoned purple belt with an 11-time IBJJF Open Championship record. With three years of coaching experience, Ted leads our 6:00 am morning class, bringing a wealth of knowledge and a passion for Jiu-Jitsu. Not only is Ted a skilled instructor, but he’s also demonstrated his prowess by placing at the IBJJF No-Gi Pan American Championship twice. Join Ted on the mat Tuesday and Thursday mornings at 6:00am for a transformative training experience that combines expertise, discipline, and a winning spirit!

Tucker Ray

Meet Tucker, the human embodiment of a tornado on the Jiu-Jitsu mats. Legend has it that Tucker was born with a gi on and a belt already tied around his baby waist. They say his first words were a perfectly executed armbar. From the moment he could walk, Tucker didn't crawl – he rolled. Tucker is not your average Jiu-Jitsu instructor; he's the Chuck Norris of chokes and the Bruce Lee of joint locks. His rear-naked choke is so deadly that even his morning coffee taps out before he takes the first sip. Rumor has it, he once triangle choked Bigfoot just for mistakenly stepping on the mats without proper footwear.

When Tucker teaches a class, the mats tremble in respect. His students don't bow to him; they genuflect. The mere mention of Tucker's name strikes fear into the hearts of grappling dummies everywhere. He doesn't do push-ups; he pushes the Earth down. Some say he has a sixth sense for armbars, and others claim he can hear a collar grip from miles away. But it's not all seriousness with Tucker. He's the master of Jiu-Jitsu jokes. He once made an opponent laugh so hard during a match that they forfeited just to catch their breath.

In short, Tucker isn't just a Jiu-Jitsu instructor; he's a walking, talking, grappling hurricane of awesomeness. If Chuck Norris did Jiu-Jitsu, he'd be taking lessons from Tucker. So, if you're ready to laugh, learn, and possibly tap out from jokes, sign up for Tucker's class. You won't just become a Jiu-Jitsu master; you'll become part of the Tucker folklore.

John Alvarado

Meet John, the wrestling and jiu-jitsu guru whose muscles have muscles. Legend has it that he was born with a grappling hook instead of a pacifier, and his baby blanket was made of gi belts that he used to put his teddy bears in rear-naked chokes for naptime. When John isn't busy suplexing the laws of physics, he's coaching wrestling and jiu-jitsu with a side of humor. His coaching philosophy? "If in doubt, add more grappling and laughter." Rumor has it that he once taught a class entirely in body slams and dad jokes – a deadly combination that left everyone tapping out.

In his free time, John enjoys wrestling with existential questions like, "Why do we park on driveways and drive on parkways?" He believes that life is a lot like a grappling match – unpredictable, full of surprises, and occasionally involves accidentally choking on your own sweat.

In the world of wrestling, John's strategy is simple: he may be vertically challenged, but his takedowns reach heights no one expects. Transitioning to Jiu-Jitsu, John's ground game is like a game of hide-and-seek, where he disappears and reappears in the blink of an eye. "If they can't see you coming, they can't defend against it." So, if you're ready to roll with a coach who packs a punch, sign up for John's class.

Eddie Archuleta

Meet Eddie, the Jiu-Jitsu instructor whose mere presence on the mats has gravitational pull envy. If Eddie had a dollar for every time someone mistook him for a mountain, he'd be the wealthiest man in the grappling universe. Eddie's blue belt isn't just a symbol of his expertise; it's a fashion statement. He once rolled with a tornado and ended up teaching it how to sweep. His ground game is so solid; geologists study it for insights into rock formations. Eddie doesn't need a warm-up; he warms up the entire room just by walking in. His closed guard is like Fort Knox – impenetrable, secure, and guarded by mythical creatures. Legend has it; Eddie once submitted a black hole for trying to swallow his favorite gi. When he triangles someone, the Bermuda Triangle takes notes on how to disappear with style.

Eddie's teaching style is a unique blend of power and finesse. He doesn't demonstrate a sweep; he executes a controlled demolition. His philosophy is simple: "If you're not sweating, you're not learning. And if you're not sore, you're not doing it right." Off the mats, Eddie enjoys lifting heavy things and making gravity question its purpose. He once bench-pressed a car just to give it a better view of the horizon. Eddie's idea of cardio is rolling with elephants for light exercise.

In conclusion, Eddie isn't just a Jiu-Jitsu instructor; he's an absolute unit of martial arts prowess. Sign up for his class if you're ready to be swept off your feet – literally – by the gravitational force that is Eddie, the living embodiment of unstoppable power on the mats.

Suleyman

Suleyman is a dedicated athlete who excelled in wrestling, becoming a district champion and earning state placer status in both freestyle and Greco-Roman styles during his four-year tenure. Transitioning to American Jiu-Jitsu, he's achieved a distinguished blue belt and showcased his talent with victories in the Pan American Championships and multiple IBJJF Opens. His journey embodies the essence of perseverance and serves as an inspiration for aspiring athletes, illustrating that dedication and hard work are the cornerstones of success on and off the mats.