The Merrill Varsity Girls Wrestling Team competed in a 71-team tournament at Wausau West on Jan. 17, 2026, and placed 20th overall. The Merrill team was up against tough competition from Wausau West, Wisconsin Lutheran, New Richmond, Muskego, Wausau East, Milton, River Falls, Marshfield, Badger, Spencer, Wisconsin Rapids Lincoln, Holmen, Kimberly, Neenah, Menasha, Oshkosh West, Antigo, DC Everest Coop, Lodi, Germantown, West De Pere, Sauk Prairie, McDonell Central Catholic, Waukesha West, Cameron, Pulaski, Edgar, Seymour, DeForest, North Crawford, Abbotsford, Assumption, Bonduel, Brillion, Cadott, Campbellsport, Clintonville Truckers, Fox Valley Lutheran, Freedom, Grafton, Green Bay West, Hortonville, Lena, Manawa, Lomira, Mauston, Mineral Point, Monona Grove, New Holstein, Oconto Falls Panthers, Peshtigo, Port Washington, Eau Claire Regis, St Croix Central, St. Croix Falls, Sturgeon Bay, Two Rivers, Laona-Wabeno, Waunakee, Winneconne, Wittenberg-Birnamwood, Crandon, Notre Dame Academy, Manitowoc Lincoln, New London, Medford, Bay Port, Westfield, Marinette, Waupun, Eau Claire North, Poynette, and Shawano.
At the end of the day, the girls wrestling teams from Milton, Holmen, Wausau West, Muskego, and Bay Port were the teams to beat.
“The Wausau West Girl’s Warrior Tournament is one of the largest girl’s tournaments in the state, as well as one of the most competitive,” said Merrill Varsity Girls Wrestling Team Head Coach Scott Arneson.
There were two Divisions in the Tournament, a Gold Division (i.e., Varsity Team) and a Silver Division (JV or “our Future Varsity Team,” as Arneson likes to put it).
Some of the Merrill girls weren’t able to compete, “because teams could only enter one girl per division,” in each weight class, Arneson said.
Individual Tournament Results:
100 - Evelyn Reinhardt - 3-2 - DNP - Gold Division
100 - Natalia Woller - 2-2 - 6th Place - Silver Division
107 - Kayla Klimek - 1-2 - DNP - Silver Division
“Congratulations to Isabella, Marissa, Abbie, and Kendall for placing in the highly competitive tournament,” Arneson said. “We would like to thank our assistant and volunteer coaches who continue to give of their time to help the girls improve weekly.”
“Many people find it easy to blame, complain, defend, and find excuses on why they did not do well,” he said. “It is my responsibility to make sure our girls are physically and mentally prepared for their competitions. With the results from this tournament, I definitely need to make improvements in my coaching practices.”
“We — and I — will continue to be Consistent, Persistent, Resilient, Relentless, and Respectful = CPR3!” Arneson said.
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