Jeremy Ratliff
Editor
The Merrill Blaujay varsity wrestling team has made it a habit thus far this season of battling through the ranks to finish near the top of every tournament they have competed in, regardless of how far they may have traveled to do so.
Saturday, Jan. 11 proved no different at the Bluejay Challenge tournament, as the guys pulled off a powerhouse 2nd place finish on their home turf of the MHS Field House.
Senior Zach Iribarren once again proved himself as one of the Bluejay elite, running the table in the 285-weight class and claiming yet another tournament championship.
Following a first-round bye, it took Iribarren just over ninety seconds to pin his first two opponents (Cameron Blount-Marathon/49 seconds and Wyatt Wikman-Adams-Friendship/46 seconds). Headed into the championship bracket, Iribarren topped Amherst’s John Farkas by 8-1 decision before pinning Taylor Pahl of Chippewa Falls (1:28) for the championship win.
Junior Tanner Depies enjoyed a solid day on the mat as well, placing 2nd in the 120-pound weight class.
After scoring a technical fall over Zander Ginet of Three Lakes/Phelps in his first bout of the day, Depies moved on to pin his next three opponents; Hugh Wiese of Rhinelander (1:51), Brady Abb of Lakeland/Mercer (1:41) and Jordan Dolata of Adams-Friendship (1:15). Unfortunately, Depies would fall short in his championship bid; falling by Major Decision (14-2) to Boyceville’s Josiah Berg.
Other top finishers for the Jays were:
170-Casey Hoffman-3rd Place
Round 1 – Bye)
Round 2 – won by 2-1 decision over Tristan Schelvan (Amherst)
Round 3 – won by pin (1:05) over Brady Lemmer (Edgar)
Championship Bracket – loss by 8-2 decision to Walker Hartman of Rhinelander.
3rd Place Match – won by pin (2:40) over Braeden Bloom (Saint Croix Central)
160-Ryder Depies-4th Place
Round 1 – Ryder Depies won by pin (1:24) over Carson Lemmer (Edgar)
Round 2 – Ryder Depies (Merrill) 15-7 won by pin (1:16) over Joe Fugle (Rhinelander)
Round 3 – Ryder Depies (Merrill) 15-7 won by 9-6 decision over Ross Kaz (Chippewa Falls)
Championship Bracket – lost to Devin Wasley (Saint Croix Central) by pin (3:23)
3rd Place Match – lost to Mason Haas (Amherst) by pin (3:53)
132-Jacob Woller-4th Place
Round 1 – Bye
Round 2 – won by pin (2:41) over Alex Martinez (Barron)
Round 3 – won by pin (4:46) over Kurt Wall (Prairie du Chien)
Championship Bracket – Lost to Piersson Czaplinski (Three Lakes/Phelps) by 18-9 Major Decision.
3rd Place Match – Lost to Bryce Zoromski (Wittenberg-Birnamwood) 21-6 won by 6-5 decision.
195-Walker Bathke- 5th Place
126-Tristen Brewington- 6th Place
170-Wyatt Bathke- 6th Place