Merrill youth wrestlers shine at State Tournament

Seven young Bluejay wrestlers represented Merrill at the WWF Youth Folkstyle State Championship Tournament held March 28-30, 2025, with three bringing home State medals after qualifying at the Merrill Tournament earlier in the month. A total of 725 wrestlers competed at the qualifier on March 22 in Merrill, The seven Merrill qualifiers earned their spots at the local qualifier on March 22, where Brant Suchocki and Hoyt Brendemuehl took first place, Marcus Brock finished second, and Mason Fuchs, Hunter Moore, and Rylan Brendemuehl each placed third. Evelyn Reinhardt qualified as an alternate with her fourth-place finish.
Marcus Brock dominated the competition at State, capturing a State Championship by pinning all five of his opponents. The young grappler showed tremendous strength and was a force to be reckoned with throughout the tournament.
“Marcus was incredible, dominating all his opponents,” said Merrill Boys Wrestling Head Coach Brian Suchocki. “I don’t recall another Merrill wrestler with five pins on their way to a State Championship. Marcus really started putting things together this season. He is very strong and explosive.”
Marcus won by fall over competitors from Elkhorn Wrestling Club, Reedsville Wrestling, Mt. Horeb Wrestling Club, Prairie Wrestling, and Nekoosa Youth Wrestling, taking his first opponent in only 21 seconds and his second in just 11 seconds.
Rylan Brendemuehl and Mason Fuchs both earned fourth-place finishes. Mason showed exceptional endurance and determination, competing in eight matches total—the maximum possible in the tournament—going 6-2. “That is the most matches a wrestler can get in the tournament and the first Merrill wrestler I can ever remember wrestling that many,” Suchocki said. “That in itself is very impressive. Mason wrestled an excellent tournament. He battled in every match he was in.”

The coach also praised Brendemuehl’s performance: “Rylan also had a great day wrestling and a nice season punctuated with a great performance at State. It was good to see him perform so well,” he said.
Brant Suchocki went 2-2 in the tournament, falling just one match short of placing. Hunter Moore, Evelyn Reinhardt, and Hoyt Brendemuehl all gained valuable experience at the State level.
“All the Merrill wrestlers have competed and practiced hard all season,” Coach Suchocki said. “It’s good to see several of them do so well at State.”