By Jared Schmeltzer
Reporter
On Thursday (Jan. 18) the Merrill wrestling team traveled to Wisconsin Rapids to take on the Red Raiders in a conference match up. Despite a strong start by the Bluejays, they wouldn’t be able to get the win as they fell by a score of 54-24.
The meet started at the 170 pound weight class. Merrill’s Bradley Leiskau got the Bluejays off to a roaring start with a pin in just 34 seconds. After a loss in the 182 weight clas,s the Bluejays got a forfeit at 195. Merrill couldn’t keep their winning ways as they lost via pin in the 220 weight class before getting another forfeit in the 285 weight class.
In the 106 weight class the Bluejays lost by pin. Merrill would also lose by pin at 120, 132 and 160; with the 126, 138 and 152 weight classes falling by major decision. In the 145 weight class Merrill’s Casey Hoffman scored a victory with a pin 2:22 into the match.
The Bluejays will look to get back on track on Saturday as they hit the road going over to Wausau East for their conference meet which will get started at 10 a.m.