BY SCOTT ARNESON
Merrill Women’s Wrestling was back on the mats this past weekend, Feb. 3, 2024, at Eau Claire North High School for the Husky Women’s Wrestling Invitational. The tournament hosted 26 teams this year with hopes to expand next year. The tournament was well run and most participants were able to wrestle at least three matches.
Merrill will plan on attending this tournament again next year with hopes of having a large number of girls competing and scoring enough points as a team to earn a top six finish.
Kaylynn Allen finished the day 3-2, which earned her a ninth place finish.
Merin Yates finished her day 1 and 2, with a fifth place finish.
The level of competition was high, and it was awesome to see the large number of Minnesota schools competing. Wrestling is a little more established in Minnesota, so our girls were able to see a very high level of competition and could take away a mindset on what it will take to raise their bar next season to be a high level wrestler.
On Tuesday, Jan. 30, the girls had a combined practice with the Rhinelander Girls Wrestling Team. It was great to have some different practice partners as well as having more intensity and competition in the room during practice.
The girls’ next competition will be the Sectional Tournament in Marshfield on Feb. 17. The individual champion in each weight class from the Sectional will be the qualifier for the 2024 WIAA State Girls Wrestling Tournament.