Wauconda senior Michael Merevick is a little different from the average wrestler.
Sure, Merevick played football — on the offensive and defensive lines — but he quit after his sophomore season to concentrate on wrestling. He remained involved in three sports, including skateboarding and beach volleyball, even if they weren’t school-based ones. He believes they’ve made him a better wrestler.
“Skateboarding and beach volleyball both help with my explosiveness on the mat,” Merevick said. “The constant movement and pressure on my legs from skateboarding is definitely a workout. Constant jumping and pivoting in the sand during volleyball definitely works out for explosiveness too.”
That explosiveness will continue to be important for Merevick (40-9), who has qualified for the state meet that begins Thursday at the State Farm Center in Champaign. He was the runner-up in the 190-pound weight class at the Class 2A Crystal Lake Central Sectional on Saturday, when teammates Gavin Rockey (120 pounds) and Christian Cendejaz (175) also qualified for state.
“I just had faith in what I was doing and was confident going against these kids,” Merevick said. “I’ve had a lot of mental battles. I’ve been working on the mental side more than anything and just knowing that I’m here for a reason.
“I thought I performed pretty well. I feel like I’m peaking at the right time now. I have a big appreciation for our new coaching staff for giving me all the confidence I needed.”
Merevick also qualified for the state meet two years ago but couldn’t compete there because he suffered a fractured collarbone during the sectional. He previously suffered the same injury while skateboarding.
“I’ve been skateboarding for as long as I’ve been wrestling, but I decided to take a break this year to avoid any unnecessary setbacks,” Merevick said.
Landen Pfeiffer, who is in his first season as Wauconda’s coach, said he recognized Merevick’s potential on the mat right away.
“I knew about Mike coming in, but my first reaction seeing him, I was blown away by his physique,” Pfeiffer said. “He was an absolute unit. He was very strong and athletic, and he actually surprised me he was in high school. He showed that he was an amazing and super hard worker, and he is one of the most coachable kids I’ve ever coached.”
Pfeiffer said the next step for Merevick was combining his physical strength with technical skills.
“During the preseason, I saw he had a lot of raw potential,” Pfeiffer said. “He was close to state last year and made state the year before, but I saw he had so much more room to grow. It was about getting him to the point where he could compete for a state title.”
Merevick, who won all three of his matches at the Deerfield Regional to help the Bulldogs place second as a team, has made those strides, according to Pfeiffer.
“He’s always in good position, and he’s good at staying in position no matter what the circumstances — neutral, top, bottom or scramble,” Pfeiffer said. “He’s always got scoring on his mind.
“We also helped get him more confident in his mindset going into matches.”
Rockey, who placed second at 106 at each of the past two state meets, has watched Merevick get to that point.
“Mike is a really hard worker in the room,” Rockey said. “He always gets extra work in and has a positive mindset. On top of that, he is one of our best leaders and helps keep the team motivated.”
Wauconda assistant Angel Botzoc said Merevick has earned his shot.
“Mike has tremendously improved being coachable and has adapted to learning different ways to become a better wrestler,” Botzoc said. “Whether it’s putting in extra work on the mat after hours or watching more film and technique breakdowns on his own, Mike has let his work speak for itself when he steps on the mat.
“Mike just needs to wrestle to the best of his ability, give it his all and just be present enjoying the time he has left wrestling in high school. If he executes and maintains focus, the results will come.”
Bobby Narang is a freelance reporter.
