Merrill male wrestlers make their mark

On Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026, the Merrill High School (MHS) Varsity Boys Wrestling Team traveled to Antigo to compete in the WIAA Division 2 Individual Sectional, finishing third out of 16 teams and sending three wrestlers on to the WIAA State Individual Wrestling Tournament.
“We were in a very tough Division 2 where wrestlers were trying to advance individually to the State tournament and team-wise to the Team Sectional in Oconto Falls,” said Merrill Varsity Head Wrestling Coach Brian Suchocki. “Overall, we competed well, with 10 of our 12 wrestlers finishing in the top 7.”
Leading the way for the Bluejays was Remington Skic, who captured the Championship at 150 pounds with a dominant, undefeated performance on the day. “Remington had an outstanding day winning the Championship,” Suchocki said. “Remington is wrestling his best at the right time. He is constantly putting pressure on his opponents and always looking to score. In the finals, he beat a very solid Chase Gruber from Coleman. This will be his second time at State and he will be looking to get on the awards stand.”
Hunter Opper punched his ticket to Madison by earning second place at 175 pounds, securing his state berth with a pin over Wyatt Bieber of Coleman in the second-place wrestle-back match. “Hunter has great timing and aggressiveness when it comes to competition,” Suchocki said. “It’s awesome to see him move on to state.”
Noah Klug also earned his spot at State, finishing second at 190 pounds. For Klug, the moment was especially meaningful. “Noah has been in the Sectional Semifinal all four years, but this year was his year to get to State,” Suchocki said. “He did it through a wrestle-back with a 13-1 victory over Cooper Smith of Marinette. It was great to see him finally get to State after being so close before. Noah was aggressive all day and was able to capitalize when he needed to.”

Sophomore Broc Suchocki came agonizingly close to joining his teammates in Madison, finishing third at 126 pounds after a heartbreaking loss in the second-place wrestle-back match. “Broc had a great day of wrestling, and he left it all out there,” Coach Suchocki said. “He is a Sophomore and will be back.”
The Bluejays’ four Senior wrestlers — Dustin Schmirler, Brett Suchocki, Ryan Coates, and Joshua Gustum — all battled hard but did not advance individually to state. “It is especially hard to see Seniors who have put everything into the sport not advance individually to the State tournament,” Suchocki said. “It’s important to remember their journey. Dusty, Brett, Ryan, and Josh are all great Senior competitors. I have so much admiration for their hard work and determination.”
Underclassmen William Miemietz, Bennett Jacobson, Trenton Klimek, and Marvin Downs also took the mat for Merrill. “Will, Bennett, and Trenton all had outstanding efforts, winning and competing well at the Sectional,” Suchocki said. “Marvin also battled for us.”
“Those guys all really improved throughout the season and also have another opportunity to showcase their growth,” Suchocki said, referring to the upcoming Team Sectional in Oconto Falls, where the entire squad will compete.

Individual Wrestling results for Merrill:

113 – Dustin Schmirler (2-2) – 5th (9.5 pts)
126 – Broc Suchocki (4-2) – 3rd (19.5 pts)
132 – Brett Suchocki (2-2) – 7th (7 pts)
138 – Marvin Downs (0-1) – DNP
144 – Ryan Coates (0-1) – DNP
150 – Remington Skic (4-0) – 1st (28.5 pts)
157 – William Miemietz (3-2) – 5th (14 pts)
165 – Bennett Jacobson (2-3) – 6th (11 pts)
175 – Hunter Opper (4-1) – 2nd (26 pts)
190 – Noah Klug (4-1) – 2nd (24 pts)
215 – Trenton Klimek (2-2) – 7th (8 pts)
285 – Joshua Gustum (2-3) – 6th (10 pts)
DNP = Did not place

The WIAA State Individual Wrestling Tournament will be Feb. 26-28 at the Kohl Center in Madison.