By Jared Schmeltzer
Reporter
On Thursday night the Merrill wrestling team hosted Wisconsin Valley Conference foe, Wisconsin Rapids. Rapids was too much for the Jays to handle as Rapids topped Merrill 49-27.
The match would start at 170 pounds where Merrill’s Wyatt Bathke couldn’t come away with a win as he fell by pin. Merrill would then get on the board with a 30 second pin at 182 pounds, courtesy of Bradley Leiskau.
After losing at 195 and 220 pounds, Merrill would get another win at the weavyweight class as Zach Iribarren came away with a pin in three minutes. At 120 pounds Tanner Depies gave Merrill their third win of the day, topping his opponent 4-0. The 152 pound and the 160 pound classes would be wrestled by Merrill’s Carter Bayer (152) and Casey Hoffman (160) who would both get a win by forfeit as Rapids won the match.
“Bradley did a nice job getting a pin for senior night,” Merrill coach Brian Suchocki said. “Zach was in a tough battle but did a nice job of getting the pin. Tanner wrestled a very good match against a strong opponent. This is a grind part of the season and we are focused on improving each and every practice and competition.”
Merrill will be in action again on Saturday as they travel to Whitnall for a tournament starting at 7 a.m.