The powerhouse Merrill wrestling program has provided yet another coaching contribution to the Wis. Wrestling Hall of Fame.
Current MHS head coach Scott Arneson joins previous Merrill mentors Norris Hattelsted and Roger Wendorf, as well as long-time junior high coach and referee Arvo Britten, in that respected group.
“On thing that’s weird is it takes 24 years to get in the Hall of Fame, but it takes 24 years to tell people thanks,” Arneson said. “I guess I’ve been blessed to be surrounded by a lot of positive people. Hopefully some day somebody will mention me in a speech for them being successful.
“You don’t make the Hall of Fame by yourself. You need a great supporting cast. I’ve had a lot of help from the club, parents. I reap the benefits of being in that situation.”
Arneson might have never even coached at Merrill where he assisted Wendorf for 10 years and will enter his 15th year at the head coaching helm this year.
“Merrill was my first job, actually,” he said. “I was hired by Flambeau, but I came here for a wrestling camp in the summer and switched to Merrill. Roger got me an interview with Lanny Tibaldo and I’ve been here ever since. Merrill has been a good fit for me. Hopefully, I’m a good fit for Merrill.”
Under Arneson’s direction, the Bluejays were the 2006 state runner-up and semi-finalists in 2004 and 2005. Merrill has had 31 individual state qualifiers with four champions, two runners-up and nine other medalists. The team has won 68% of its dual meets as well as numerous tournaments.
Arnie was a three-time state qualifier at Rhinelander, winning as senior and placing fifth as a sophomore, while earning All-American honors in summer Greco-Roman. He was a four-time NCAA D3 qualifier and two-time AA, as well as two-time academic AA and Outstanding Wrestler of the WSUC in his senior year.
Scott is the founder and lead coach of the Northern Exposure Freestyle and Greco Training Site that draws kids from up to two hours away to train. He has also coached Greco and folkstyle for the Wis. Wrestling Fed. National teams for more than 20 years.
He assisted Wendorf when Merrill captured the first two WIAA state team championships in 1992 and 1993.