Merrill Varsity Boys Wrestling Team takes third at Team Sectional

The Merrill High School Varsity Boys Wrestling Team traveled to Oconto Falls on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026, for the WIAA Team Sectional with state tournament aspirations in mind. The Bluejays, entering as the sixth seed out of six teams, opened with a 48-30 victory over Seymour, fell to New London 51-24 in the semifinals, then closed the day with a determined 45-34 win over Freedom to claim third place.
“We came prepared to go for a State berth but fell short, taking third at the Sectional,” said Head Coach Brian Suchocki. “Coming into the day, we were the sixth seed out of the six teams there. That kind of put a chip on our shoulder, because we believed we were a better team than that.”
Despite the loss to New London ending Merrill’s chances of advancing to the State Team Tournament, the Bluejays refused to go through the motions.
“I can’t say enough about the effort of the team, especially knowing we had very little chance of advancing to the State Tournament after losing to New London,” Suchocki said.
The third-place match against perennial power Freedom was a back-and-forth battle from the opening whistle. Dustin Schmirler set the tone immediately.

“Dusty got us going, getting a pin to start the dual. Koi received a forfeit, putting the score at 12-6,” Suchocki said.
“After dropping a match, Brett Suchocki would get a pin to put the score at 18-10. Remington Skic had a technical fall, moving the score to 23-16. Freedom would win two straight by pin, putting the score in their favor 28-23,” Suchocki said.
“We came back with a big pin by Hunter Opper and a major by Noah Klug, who was going for the pin to put the dual out of reach. Unfortunately, that would put the score at only 33-28 in Merrill’s favor,” Suchocki said.
With Merrill holding a five-point lead heading into the final weights, Trenton Klimek stepped up and delivered a pin to seal the match.
“We knew Trenton would need a big match to finish it out for us since Mason Bloch would receive a forfeit and Freedom would receive a forfeit at 106. Being up by five at that point meant we couldn’t get pinned,” Suchocki said. “Last week Trenton had given up a pin to the same opponent, but this week Trenton turned the tables and pinned his opponent. Trenton just made our lineup in the final stretch of the season. He has improved so much and works hard. It was rewarding to watch the excitement of the team rallying around him.”
Throughout the day, the team’s collective resolve was captured in the motto they carried onto the mat.
“Our motto was ‘ALL IN,’” Suchocki said. “For the guys that stuck it out and endured the challenges of a grueling season, it says a lot about their character and resilience to fight together as a team. It was a challenging season, because we had tough competition throughout the season. Coleman won our Sectional and is the No. 1 ranked team in the state.”
Saturday also marked the final high school matches for several Merrill Seniors. Dustin Schmirler (3-0), Brett Suchocki (2-1), Ryan Coates (1-2), Preston Schuelke (0-1), and Mason Bloch (2-1) competed in their final matches for the Bluejays. Seniors Ben Gruett and Josh Gustum did not wrestle.
“I can’t say enough about our Seniors. They are a class act and really helped lead us to an outstanding season. They will be missed,” Suchocki said.
Reflecting on the season as a whole, Suchocki had much to celebrate.
“For our team it was a great season — winning the Conference, competing at Team Sectionals, going 13-2 in duals, five wrestlers getting 100 career wins, and competing well in many tournaments throughout the season,” he said. Three Merrill wrestlers — Hunter Opper, Remington Skic, and Noah Klug — also advanced beyond the Sectional and will represent the Bluejays at the WIAA State Individual Wrestling Tournament, rounding out the accolades due the Varsity Boys.
“The end as a team is bittersweet,” Suchocki said, “but the wrestlers can feel good about the accomplishments of the season.”
Suchocki also took time to acknowledge the community that supported the team throughout the year.
“I want to thank all those that have supported us this season and especially the fans and parents that followed us all over the state. We had a great support group of fans up in the stands at the Team Sectionals,” he said.

Individual results for Merrill vs. Seymour:

113 – Dustin Schmirler (26-10) Sr. over Forfeit (FF)
120 – Koi Olson (10-6) Fr. lost to Zack Lee, So. (F 1:12)
126 – Broc Suchocki (28-10) So. over Cash Leisgang, Fr. (F 1:29)
132 – Brett Suchocki (35-10) Sr. over Jeremy Peterman, Jr. (F 3:46)
138 – Marvin Downs (10-18) Jr. lost to Brayden Vandehei, So. (F 0:45)
144 – Ryan Coates (16-16) Sr. over Brayden Koutnik, So. (F 5:57)
150 – Remington Skic (39-4) Jr. over Forfeit (FF)
157 – William Miemietz (20-18) Jr. lost to Alois Leisgang, Fr. (F 4:44)
165 – Bennett Jacobson (19-12) So. lost to Owen Linsmeyer, Fr. (F 2:21)
175 – Hunter Opper (35-2) Sr. over Forfeit (FF)
190 – Preston Schuelke (10-12) Sr. lost to Charlie Gilbertson, Sr. (F 2:42)
215 – Noah Klug (32-7) Sr. over Samuel Micolichek, Sr. (F 1:59)
285 – Mason Bloch (6-2) Sr. over Forfeit (FF)
Box score:
Merrill 48, Seymour 30

Individual results for Merrill vs. New London:
106 – Forfeit, Merrill (FF loss)
113 – Dustin Schmirler (26-10) Sr. over Joey Auer, Fr. (F 2:57)
120 – Koi Olson (10-6) Fr. lost to Evan Harris, Fr. (F 4:09)
126 – Broc Suchocki (28-10) So. over Wyatt Sommer, Fr. (F 0:26)

132 – Adison Clark (37-4) Sr. lost to Trevor Schultz, Jr. (F 1:04)
138 – Brett Suchocki (35-10) Sr. lost to Brice Guyette, Sr. (Dec 12-7)
144 – Ryan Coates (16-16) Sr. lost to William Christopher, Sr. (F 1:25)
150 – Remington Skic (39-4) Jr. over Anthony Brandt, Fr. (F 3:40)
157 – William Miemietz (20-18) Jr. lost to Spencer Hanson, Sr. (Dec 9-3)
165 – Bennett Jacobson (19-12) So. lost to Owen Ross, Sr. (F 1:41)
175 – Hunter Opper (35-2) Sr. over Eli Ross, Fr. (F 1:20)
190 – Noah Klug (32-7) Sr. lost to Howard Roloff, Sr. (Dec 5-2)
215 – Trenton Klimek (19-7) Jr. lost to Phoenix Fletcher, Sr. (F 1:36)
285 – Mason Bloch (6-2) Sr. lost to Preston Krueger, Jr. (F 0:56)
Box score:
New London 51, Merrill 24

Individual results for Merrill vs. Freedom:
106 – Forfeit, Merrill (FF loss)
113 – Dustin Schmirler (26-10) Sr. over Caden Bock, Jr. (F 0:48)
120 – Kendell Klug (24-16) So. lost to Jackson Williams, Jr. (F 1:23)
126 – Koi Olson (10-6) Fr. over Forfeit (FF)
132 – Broc Suchocki (28-10) So. lost to Jayden Cornell, So. (MD 16-8)
138 – Brett Suchocki (35-10) Sr. over Rafe Henrickson, So. (F 1:21)
144 – Ryan Coates (16-16) Sr. lost to Laine Everson, Jr. (F 3:06)
150 – Remington Skic (39-4) Jr. over Logan Peterson, So. (TF 19-4, 3:45)
157 – William Miemietz (20-18) Jr. lost to Murphy Beyer, Jr. (F 1:27)
165 – Bennett Jacobson (19-12) So. lost to Joseph Moore, Jr. (F 3:58)
175 – Hunter Opper (35-2) Sr. over Weston Spiegel, So. (F 3:03)
190 – Noah Klug (32-7) Sr. over Sam Moore, So. (MD 12-1)
215 – Trenton Klimek (19-7) Jr. over Mason Calmes, Jr. (F 3:29)
285 – Mason Bloch (6-2) Sr. over Forfeit (FF)
Box score:
Merrill 45, Freedom 34