Mehrmann Likely Out For Year

Wake Forest sophomore scrumhalf Drew Mehrmann is likely out for the year after being diagnosed late last week with a serious blood condition. Mehrmann, who was expected to play a large role for Wake Forest in next weekend's Atlantic Coast Invitational, has been hospitalized since Thursday and will remain at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center until at least next Friday as doctors monitor his health. Mehrmann missed most of last year as well recovering from surgery on a separated shoulder suffered in the second match of the fall. He returned to action in the late spring, contributing on the field in victories over East Carolina and Duke. Said head coach Patrick Kane upon receiving the news about Mehrmann, "It is really disappointing for our team, but even moreso for Drew. This is a kid who has tremendous potential and has now been robbed of his first two years of college rugby. Hopefully he can recover from this and get back on the field as quickly as possible." Merhmann attended high school in Hong Kong, where he was a standout flanker on his school's rugby team. He was transitioning nicely to the scrumhalf position last fall when he suffered the shoulder separation that caused him to miss most of his freshman season.