TINA L. SCOTT
EDITOR

SPASH dual
On Thursday, Jan. 5, 2023, the Merrill Wrestling Team traveled to Stevens Point to take on the SPASH Panthers. Merrill came away with an exciting 48-34 win.
“We started down 22-0 and were able to come back picking up the victory,” Merrill Head Wrestling Coach Brian Suchocki said. “After two forfeits to Carson Brooks and Ryder Depies, Noah Klug did a nice job getting us started with a first period pin.”
“Dusty Schmirler came from behind to pin,” he said. “Jon Hart and Brett Suchocki picked up good pins, which put the team up 36-34 with two matches left in the meet.”
“Brady Norton sealed the match with a pin of his own, and Callum Wheeler finished off the dual with a nice head throw for a pin,” Suchocki said.
“Overall, we competed well,” he said. “We had a couple matches get away from us but we came back from that adversity to get the win. This was a great conference win for us. We will need to continue building off these matches. We are a young team, but our expectation is to compete hard and get better throughout the season.”

Individual Merrill results:
106 Dusty Schmirler, Merrill, won against Camden Mayek, Stevens Point, Pin 3:05
113 Joey Jensen, Merrill, lost to Jake Roberts, Stevens Point, Pin 3:44
120 Jon Hart, Merrill, won against Hunter Prisk, Stevens Point, Pin 1:10
126 Brett Suchocki, Merrill, won against Camden Fischer, Stevens Point, Pin 1:27
132 Brady Norton, Merrill, won against Zack Kolodziej, Stevens Point, Pin 1:12
138 Callum Wheeler, Merrill, won against Logan Seavers, Stevens Point, Pin 0:45
145 Mason Johnson, Merrill, lost to Jake Hall, Stevens Point, Pin 0:38
152 Hunter Opper, Merrill, lost to Riley Seavers, Stevens Point, Pin 3:47
160 Gage Lassa, Merrill, lost to T.J. Schierl, Stevens Point, Pin 3:20
170 Brian Ball, Merrill, lost to Kale Roth, Stevens Point, Major 13-5
182 Austin Depies, Merrill, lost to Zach Bembenek, Stevens Point, Pin 3:18
195 Carson Brooks, Merrill, won by forfeit
220 Ryder Depies, Merrill, won by forfeit
285 Noah Klug, Merrill, won against Josh Woznicki, Stevens Point, Pin 1:45
Box Score
Merrill 48 @ Stevens Point (SPASH) 34

Wisconsin Rapids Lincoln dual
On Jan. 12, 2023, the Merrill Wrestling Team traveled to Wisconsin Rapids Lincoln to compete in a dual conference match.
“The wrestlers competed well with a good Wisconsin Rapids Team,” Suchocki said. “We had some chances to close the gap a little more, but our wrestling is solid.”
“Ryder Depies, Carson Brooks, and Callum Wheeler had big pins for us,” he said. “Callum is wrestling well. I’m looking forward to how the season unfolds for him. Carson continues to stick with solid technique. He needs to stick with what is working. Ryder was dominant once again as he leads the team. Brian Ball also picked up a good win, keeping his progress going. All four are doing a nice job.”
“We had some other solid performance not go our way in the final outcome, but the young team keeps competing hard and learning each match,” Suchocki said.

Individual Merrill results:
106 Dusty Schmirler, Merrill, lost to Gavin Jacob, Wisconsin Rapids, 11-4
120 Joey Jensen, Merrill, lost to Landyn Freeman, Wisconsin Rapids, Fall 5:07
126 Brett Suchocki, Merrill, lost to Carter Freeman, Wisconsin Rapids, Fall 0:19
132 Brady Norton, Merrill, lost to Aiden Armagost, Wisconsin Rapids, Fall 1:39
138 Callum Wheeler, Merrill, won against Mason Tritz, Wisconsin Rapids, Fall 2:35
145 Mason Johnson, Merrill, lost to Lucas Bean, Wisconsin Rapids, Fall 1:11
152 Hunter Opper, Merrill, lost to Cole Black, Wisconsin Rapids, 7-2
160 Gage Lassa, Merrill, lost to Bennett Weidman, Wisconsin Rapids, Fall 3:00
170 Brian Ball, Merrill, won against Mark Jeske, Wisconsin Rapids, 5-1
182 Austin Depies, Merrill, lost to Kailar Tritz, Wisconsin Rapids, TF 19-4
195 Carson Brooks, Merrill, won against Benjamin Klingforth, Wisconsin Rapids, Fall 1:47
220 Ryder Depies, Merrill, won against Tanner Gormanson, Wisconsin Rapids, Fall 1:03
285 Noah Klug, Merrill, lost to Benton Ruesch, Wisconsin Rapids, Fall 4:42
Box Score
Merrill 21 @ Wisconsin Rapids Lincoln 53