Merrill High School Class of 1970 celebrates 52nd anniversary of Merrill’s first State Wrestling Championship
The Merrill High School (MHS) Class of 1970 held their 52nd reunion recently at the Eagles Club. Over 100 people attended, including 6 teachers and their wives. Music and Choir Director, Bob Holquist, and his wife came from North Carolina, and Barb Schaeffer traveled from Hawaii.
This was also the 52nd anniversary of Merrill’s first State Wrestling Championship. Merrill has since won State Championships in 1992 and 1993, as well, but this was the anniversary of the very first win, with the odds stacked against them.
Fond memories of those exciting times were relived and seem to revolve around honoring the coaching staff. Mike Ravn remembers that none of the coaches had wrestling experience, although Coach Opsahl boxed in the Army. What they lacked in experience, they made up for in discipline and motivation. He remembers that the coaches ran laps with them, which helped build morale and chemistry with the wrestlers.
Coach said that no Merrill wrestler will be out conditioned. John Bosio felt that they knew they had a really good team and potential for individual champions. At that time, there were no classifications for size of schools, and Merrill was able to beat those with much larger programs.
Merrill took 10 wrestlers to state. Bob Gustin and Larry Schuman remember the crowds being against them. When they were booed, Coach Opsahl told them: “They save that for winners.”
Larry Schuman was State Champion, Tom Hass took third, and Bob Gustin took fourth. All felt that Coach Opsahl and Assistant Coaches Jack Casper and Rick Reindl deserved the win, as well as all the guys on the practice teams who helped push them to be better.
Merrill High School Class of 1970 celebrates 52nd anniversary of Merrill’s first State Wrestling Championship
The Merrill High School (MHS) Class of 1970 held their 52nd reunion recently at the Eagles Club. Over 100 people attended, including 6 teachers and their wives. Music and Choir Director, Bob Holquist, and his wife came from North Carolina, and Barb Schaeffer traveled from Hawaii.
This was also the 52nd anniversary of Merrill’s first State Wrestling Championship. Merrill has since won State Championships in 1992 and 1993, as well, but this was the anniversary of the very first win, with the odds stacked against them.
Fond memories of those exciting times were relived and seem to revolve around honoring the coaching staff. Mike Ravn remembers that none of the coaches had wrestling experience, although Coach Opsahl boxed in the Army. What they lacked in experience, they made up for in discipline and motivation. He remembers that the coaches ran laps with them, which helped build morale and chemistry with the wrestlers.
Coach said that no Merrill wrestler will be out conditioned. John Bosio felt that they knew they had a really good team and potential for individual champions. At that time, there were no classifications for size of schools, and Merrill was able to beat those with much larger programs.
Merrill took 10 wrestlers to state. Bob Gustin and Larry Schuman remember the crowds being against them. When they were booed, Coach Opsahl told them: “They save that for winners.”
Larry Schuman was State Champion, Tom Hass took third, and Bob Gustin took fourth. All felt that Coach Opsahl and Assistant Coaches Jack Casper and Rick Reindl deserved the win, as well as all the guys on the practice teams who helped push them to be better.
