Merrill Varsity Boys dominate Rhinelander, take third at Waunakee Wrestling tournament

The Merrill High School Boys Varsity Wrestling Team competed in two events last week, defeating Rhinelander in a dual meet on Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025, and placing third at the Waunakee Tournament on Saturday, Dec. 13.

Rhinelander dual
Merrill defeated Rhinelander 70-12 in the dual meet at Rhinelander, claiming 12 of the 14 weight classes and capitalizing heavily on forfeits by the Hodags.
“Our wrestlers really came out aggressive,” said Merrill Varsity Head Wrestling Coach Brian Suchocki. “Ryan and Will, I thought, did a great job early in the dual getting some momentum for us, and it carried over throughout the dual. It’s good to see all our wrestlers competing hard and using technique that we work on daily.”
Five Merrill wrestlers secured victories by pin. Joshua Gustum recorded the fastest pin of the night at 285 pounds, securing the fall in just 0:42 against Shayden Hylleberg. Dustin Schmirler pinned Noah Monk in 0:51 at 120 pounds. Lakeyn Adams earned a rapid pin over Michael Tredupp in 1:07 at 126 pounds. Ryan Coates secured a pin against Gage Anderson in 2:31 at 157 pounds, and Brett Suchocki pinned Hoyt Dantoin in 2:42 at 138 pounds. William Miemietz won by fall over Jeffrey Dupree in 3:39 at 165 pounds.

In addition to the pins, Broc Suchocki earned a 13-0 major decision at 132 pounds, and Remington Skic won by a decisive 21-6 technical fall in just 1:56 at 150 pounds.
Merrill also received forfeits at 113 pounds from Koi Olson, 215 pounds from Noah Klug, 190 pounds from Preston Schuelke, and 175 pounds from Hunter Opper.
Box Score
Merrill 70 @ Rhinelander 12

Waunakee tournament

“We took third as a team at a very strong Waunakee tournament,” Suchocki said.
Two Merrill wrestlers reached the championship finals in their respective weight classes. Hunter Opper secured three wins by pinfall at 175 pounds en route to the finals, where he finished in second place. Remington Skic also had an outstanding run to the finals at 150 pounds, winning three matches by technical fall or pin before falling in a 7-6 decision in the championship bout, earning him second place.
“Hunter and Remington wrestled really well making the finals,” Suchocki said. “Remington was right there with a three-time State place finisher in the finals. He continues to improve and puts himself into position to win big matches.”
“Hunter also wrestled well against a State qualifier in the finals,” he said. “At one point he had the lead. Hunter looked sharp and is wrestling at a high level.”
Noah Klug achieved a significant milestone at 215 pounds, winning his 100th career match while finishing in fifth place with a 4-1 tournament record.
“Noah won his 100th match of his career,” Suchocki said. “That is a great accomplishment for him especially considering he did that at the 215 lb. weight class all four years. Noah is really aggressive with his takedowns and gets after pinning combinations. Even though 100 wins is a great mark, Noah has bigger goals he will go after.”
Several other Merrill wrestlers placed in the top eight. Lakeyn Adams recorded three pinfall victories at 126 pounds, including a 42-second pin, to finish in fourth place. Joshua Gustum secured two quick pins at 285 pounds, including a 25-second fall, to take fourth place. Dustin Schmirler battled back after a quarterfinals loss to win the fifth-place match by decision at 120 pounds. Brett Suchocki posted three pinfall wins at 138 pounds, including a decisive pin in the fifth-place match, to finish fifth.
“We had many other guys wrestle well,” Suchocki said. “Lakeyn in his first Varsity tournament took fourth and had 3 pins. Josh also took fourth competing with some very tough competition. Dusty and Brett competed well to take fifth. Will is continually improving with his sixth place finish. Broc is still getting himself back into wrestling and looking better each day with his seventh place finish. Bennett entered as an extra and took eighth. He keeps developing.”
William Miemietz finished with two pins at 165 pounds to take sixth place. Broc Suchocki won the seventh place match with a 5-0 decision at 132 pounds, and Bennett Jacobson secured two pinfall victories in the consolation bracket at 175 pounds to finish eighth.
“Up and down the line-up we wrestled well,” Suchocki said. “We have things to improve upon but we are competing hard and giving great effort.”
“It was awesome to have our JV wrestlers along,” he said. “Trenton Klimek was the champion. Those guys wrestled well.”
Team Results
1. Pulaski
2. Waunakee
3. Merrill
4. Madison East
5. Kenosha Indian Trail