TINA L. SCOTT
EDITOR
On Saturday, Dec. 17, 2022, the Merrill Wrestling Team competed at the Mount Horeb Invitational.
“This was a great team effort,” said Merrill Varsity Wrestling Coach Brian Suchocki. “We ended up 2nd place out of 15. We took 9th place at this tournament last year.”
“Leading the way for Merrill were Seniors Ryder Depies and Brian Ball. Ryder dominated his competition,” he said. “Ryder sets the tone for the team with his approach to practice and competition. During the tournament, Ryder took on a former State qualifier in the finals and won by technical fall in the second period.”
“Brian also dominated the competition on the way to the finals. In the finals, he took on a former State qualifier, as well, and really controlled the match. This tournament is really something Brian can build off of. He did a great job setting up shots and finishing them.”
“Carson Brooks and Jon Hart also made the finals with great performances leading them there,” Suchocki said. “Carson wore down his opponent in the semi-finals, getting him into the finals. Carson is hitting moves based off of instinct rather than waiting and missing opportunities. Jon Hart is really showing what he can do. Jon beat one State qualifier in the semi-finals and lost to one in the finals. He competed really well. As he gains more experience in big matches, he will continue to grow as a wrestler.”
“Dusty Schmirler, Callum Wheeler, and Austin Depies each took third place,” he said. “Joey Jenson, Brett Suchocki, and Noah Klug each took fourth place.”
“Others placing were Hunter Opper with a fifth, Brady Norton with a seventh, Ian Dreikosen with a seventh, and Jace Olson with an eighth. We were able to take 15 wrestlers to the tournament, and every wrestler we took won a match,” Suchocki said.
“I was pleased with our effort, and we improved on our execution. We are a very young team, so it’s really good to see great leadership from our upperclassmen and the willingness of our young wrestlers to compete and learn,” he said.
Individual Scores:
106: Dustin Schmirler (3-2) placed 3rd and scored 13.0 team points.
113: Joey Jensen (5-5) placed 4th and scored 15.0 team points.
120: Jon Hart (7-3) placed 2nd and scored 22.0 team points.
132: Brett Suchocki (3-2) placed 4th and scored 15.0 team points.
138: Brady Norton (7-4) placed 7th and scored 10.0 team points.
145: Callum Wheeler (8-2) placed 3rd and scored 19.0 team points.
152: Hunter Opper (4-1) placed 5th and scored 17.0 team points.
160: Jace Olson (2-4) placed 8th and scored 7.0 team points.
170: Brian Ball (8-2) placed 1st and scored 28.0 team points.
182: Austin Depies (7-3) placed 3rd and scored 17.0 team points.
182: Carson Brooks (7-3) placed 2nd.
195: Ryder Depies (9-1) placed 1st and scored 29.5 team points.
220: Noah Klug (5-5) placed 4th and scored 13.0 team points.
285: Mikal Plautz (2-6) place is unknown.
285: Ian Dreikosen (5-5) placed 7th and scored 6.0 team points.