The Bluejay grapplers pushed their Valley season back in a positive direction with Thursday’s 57-23 triumph over Wausau East.
Merrill evened its conference record at 1-1 by coming up with seven falls to add to a pair of forfeits.
“We were more aggressive,” MHS coach Scott Arneson said. “That’s the way it should be in our third meet of the season. We’re getting off of the bottom better and we were more aggressive on our feet. Those are two positive signs. We’re getting in better shape.”
Working pins for Merrill were Devon Schultz (120, 3:02), Scott Arneson (138, 2:53), Tanner Pettit (152, :32), Brandon McCarthy (160, 1:19), Mason Reinhardt (182, 3:59), Collin Zoellner (220, 1:16) and Christian Kleinschmidt (:285, :58). Lucas Lee (170) pulled out a 12-5 win. Hunter Welch (132) and Aidan Ball (113) received forfeits.
The Lumberjacks picked up 12 of their points by two forfeits, along with a pin of Setth Collins (195, 4:25) and a tech fall over Brady Schmelling (145, 19-3).
“We got pinned two times, which is too much. That hurt us at Everest, too.” Arneson said, referring to last week’s 36-32 loss.
Merrill will compete in the Marquette Challenge in Marquette, Mich., on Saturday.