High school wrestling: Jacobs' Jake Harrier is athlete of the week; rankings; notes

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

Jake Harrier, Jacobs, jr., 132

Harrier took first place at 132 pounds at the Niles West Invite over the weekend. The Golden Eagles finished second in the 24-team tournament, behind only Barrington.

Harrier dominated his weight class at Niles West. He won the title match by technical fall over Oswego’s Zach Sato. Harrier is now 14-0 on the season.

He also won his match last week in a 44-18 loss to Huntley.

RANKINGS

1. Huntley: Huntley went 0-3 at a stacked Marmion Quad over the weekend. The Red Raiders lost to Montini, Marmion and Detroit Catholic Central (Michigan).

2. Marian Central: Marian once again topped three Class 3A teams over the weekend, advancing to 10-0 with wins over Libertyville, Stagg and Mundelein.

3. Jacobs: The Golden Eagles gave Huntley the toughest FVC challenge yet in a 44-18 loss. Jacobs is 3-1 in the FVC.

4. Crystal Lake South: South was idle last week. It takes on Cary-Grove this week before heading to Harlem's Dvorak Invitational over the weekend.

5. Cary-Grove: The Trojans scored a 36-34 win over Crystal Lake Central last week.

WORTH NOTING

Anguish in the Auditorium: Crystal Lake South and Cary-Grove will square off for the third annual "Anguish in the Auditorium" on Thursday at C-G.

For the first time, the Trojans host the event. The teams split the first two editions, which were both held at South. They will wrestle on the stage in the C-G auditorium. There will be individualized walk-up songs, smoke machines and light effects.

Junior varsity is scheduled to wrestle at 5:30 p.m., with varsity to follow at 6:15 p.m.

The teams figure to be fairly even. At the Hoffman Estates Invitational on Dec. 8, South finished third and C-G took fourth out of 14 teams. C-G is also coming off a two-point win over Crystal Lake Central.

“We’re really excited for it,” C-G coach William Petersen said. “Our kids are really working hard in the room. I give it out to them and their work ethic. We might not always be the best technicians out there, but we’re pushing these kids six minutes."

Tigers woes: Central has struggled in dual meets so far this season. The Tigers are 6-6 overall and 2-2 in the FVC.

"We’re just not wrestling smart," coach Justen Lehr said. "It’s just getting kind of old. We have the same kids that we expect to go out there and get wins, and some guys who are just coasting. Maybe we need to have wrestle-offs, need to start having more competition in the room."

WHAT TO WATCH

Crystal Lake South at Cary-Grove, 6:15 p.m. Thursday: South and C-G square off on the stage in the C-G auditorium.

Crystal Lake Central, Crystal Lake South, Huntley, Jacobs at Harlem's Al Dvorak Invitational, 9 a.m. Saturday: Four local teams participate in one of the Chicago area's top wrestling tournaments of the season.