The 2019 fall sports have announced their all-conference honorees and Merrill would come away with a boat load of awards.
The Wisconsin Valley Conference (WVC) swim meet happened on Thursday, Oct. 31, where the Jays would total four different All-Conference honors. For the 200 medley relay, Merrill’s team of Trinity Kanitz, Evelyn Blennert, Amber Winter and Erin Kanitz would receive second team All-Wisconsin Valley Conference. Blennert would also receive second team all-conference for the 200-yard freestyle and the 100-yard freestyle. The 500-yard freestyle saw Trinity Kanitz take third place, earning herself honorable mention for the event. Winter received honorable mention in the 100-yard breaststroke, with a third place finish. Merrill head coach Kristie Winter also received an award, tying with the D.C. Everest coach for WVC Coach of the Year.
For the Bluejay soccer team, three athletes would receive All-WVC honors including; Geno Zecca (2nd team), Caleb Novitch (honorable mention) and Cole Woellner (honorable mention). Zecca was one of Merrill’s top goal scorers this season, totaling three WVC goals and six total point. Caleb Novitch didn’t finish far behind, finding the goal twice in conference play for a total of four points. Cole Woellner earned his honors on the defensive side of the ball, however would still come up with one assist in conference.
The Merrill tennis team saw three athletes receive All-WVC honors, which they earned based on their finish at the WVC meet. Merrill’s number one singled player, Alexandra Johnson, placed third at the meet, earning honorable mention. The number one doubled team for Merrill, consisting of Anna Rydeski and Erin Murray also took third place to earn honorable mention.
Merrill’s lone cross country honoree was Elizabeth Schmidt, who placed fourth at the conference meet, with a run of 19:30.5 to earn first team All-WVC.
Merrill volleyball had a handful of all-conference honorees, including Ellie Hartson who was unanimously selected to first team. Hartson was one of the leading attackers for the Jays this year, totaling 87 kills to go along with her 265 assists and 95% serving. Kelly Page earned second team honors, with conference stats of 119 kills and 140 digs. Earning honorable mention for Merrill include Reese Mrachek (98 kills and 29 blocks), Rachel Travis (235 digs and 95% serving) and Eve Akey (no stats available).
For the Bluejay team eight athletes would receive All-Great Northern Conference honors, some receiving honors on both sides of the ball. Dawson Dengel was a unanimous selection at offensive line and also received second team honors at defensive line. Alex Bloch was another Merrill offensive linemen receiving honors, taking home second team All-GNC. Merrill qaurterback Caleb DeJong received second team honors as a running back, as he totaled 653 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns. Caleb Timm earned honorable mention honors at tight end and defensive back for the Jays. Timm totaled eight receptions and 103 yards in conference. Rounding out Merrill’s conference award winners are; Caleb Novitch with honorable mention at kicker, Zach Iribarren took home honorable mention at defensive line and Eddie Collinsworth was selected honorable mention at linebacker.