TINA L. SCOTT
EDITOR
On Saturday, Feb. 19, 2022, three Merrill High School (MHS) wrestlers competed in the Sectional meet trying to earn a trip to the State Tournament.
Ryder Depies, a Junior at MHS, won all three of his matches, advancing him to the State Wrestling Tournament.
“Ryder wrestled composed and solid all day long,” said Head Varsity MHS Wrestling Coach Brian Suchocki. “The Sectional Tournament is a stressful competition. It is even more important to take it one match at a time.”
“That’s exactly what Ryder did,” he said. “All his work and preparation paid off. I’m glad he accomplished one of his goals this weekend, and he will stay focused on achieving his next goals.”
“We talk all the time about ‘controlling what you can control.’ That is the approach we take with Merrill Wrestling,” Suchocki said. “Ryder has done a great job of that all year. At State, the competition will be tough, but our approach will stay the same. I’m very happy for Ryder. He does things the right way. No short cuts.”
Depies placed first and scored 22.0 team points at the Sectional. He won by a fall over a River Falls wrestler at 2:24, won by a major decision over a Menominie wrestler, and took first place with a win by major decision against a DC Everest wrestler.
Two other MHS Varsity wrestlers competed at the Sectional: Wyatt Bathke, a Senior at MHS, and Callum Wheeler, a Freshman at MHS.
“Unfortunately Wyatt Bathke lost his first match which eliminated him from the tournament,” Suchocki said. “I know it left a bad feeling for Wyatt, but he had a great season and always competed hard for his teammates and community.”
“Wyatt will be missed next season,” he said. “His toughness and determination paved the way for his teammates.”
“Callum Wheeler was also eliminated from the Sectional Tournament in the fist round,” Suchocki said. “Callum wrestled well even though he was disappointed with the results.”
“We want our wrestlers to know it’s not about the result,” he said. “It’s about did you give your best effort. I know Callum competed his hardest, and that’s all we can ask.”
“Callum really came on as a Freshman towards the end of season,” Suchocki said. “I know he will continue to work hard, and he has all the tools to be very successful throughout his high school wrestling career. We enjoy working with him and look forward to the next three years.”
The State Individual Wrestling Tournament begins Thursday, Feb. 24, 2022, at the Kohl Center in Madison and goes through Saturday when the placement matches will take place.
Depies said he is really happy about the opportunity to go to State and has worked really hard. This is his first year making it to the State Tournament, and he is hoping to get his name up on the board at MHS.