Two Merrill wrestlers, Tanner and Ryder Depies, have been wrestling in national competitions all over the country this spring. According to Merrill varsity wrestling coach, Brian Suchocki, these competitions help install a good work ethic.
“Both Tanner and Ryder work hard and are doing the right things to get better at the sport of wrestling. Success on the mat is only part of what they are earning. More importantly they are learning how to strive for something and then work for it.”
Ryder competed in the Wisconsin Dells national event last month, coming away as the champion. Later, he wrestled in the Wild Tournament, also held in the Wisconsin Dells, going 5-1 and coming up just short of first place. The last event Ryder wrestled in was the Northern Plains Tournament, in Rochester Minnesota. This tournament has many wrestlers from the mid-west competing in it. Ryder wrestled well, compiling three technical falls and one pin on his way to the championship.
“Ryder has many great accomplishments in wrestling, but he also knows that he has to keep working at it to have future success,” comments coach Suchocki. “The important thing is Ryder will continue to do great things with his strong work habits.”
“Tanner has also worked hard trying to accomplish his goals,” Suchocki added. “It’s great to see him competing and striving to get better. Tanner has competed in several large events this offseason.”
Tournaments and record for Tanner include:
2-2 @ WWF Freestyle State, Wisconsin Dells, May 3
1-2 @ WWF Greco State, Wisconsin Dells, May 4
1-2 @ Northern Plains Freestyle, Rochester MN., May 18
1-2 @ Northern Plains Greco, Rochester MN., May 19
1-2 @ Central Regional Freestyle, Ada Ohio, May 25
4th place, 4-2 @ Central Regional Greco, Ada Ohio, May 26
0-2 @ Cadet UWW Nationals, Akron Ohio, May 31
“I had a lot of fun traveling to Ohio the past two weeks,” Tanner said. “Although this past weekend wasn’t the most successful, I still had a good experience competing at that high level.”