Down to the last man

Crystal Lake South’s Nick Gil (top) grabs onto Jacobs’ Michael Ricks during their 132-pound match in a Fox Valley Conference dual meet Thursday in Crystal Lake. Gil defeated Ricks by technical fall, and the Gators won, 38-32. (Sarah Nader – snader@shawmedia.com)

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CRYSTAL LAKE – Crystal Lake South jumped out to an early lead and then held on to defeat Jacobs, 38-32, in a Fox Valley Conference Valley Division wrestling dual meet Thursday.

Starting at 138 pounds, Collin Zaio gave the Golden Eagles their only lead with an 11-8 decision against Eric Barone. South’s Nick Peters followed with a major-decision win at 145, and the Gators pushed the lead to 29-14 heading into the turn led by pins from Jake Peters (160) and Brian Pence (182).

After Jacobs’ Austin Ryan (106) and Cody Ferencz (126) both won their matches with pins, Jacobs trailed, 33-32, heading into the final match between South’s Nick Gil and Jacobs’ Michael Ricks at 132.

Gil left little doubt about the outcome, as the Gators’ sophomore led, 18-8, after the first period, taking down Ricks, a freshman, at will and then letting him up for an escape.

Gil, who won by technical fall, said it was good experience to wrestle in pressure situations.

“It puts all that more pressure on me,” Gil said. “When the pressure’s on, I think I can perform. It makes me better down the road.”

With regionals three weeks away, Gil said he is ready for the critical part of the season but wants to work on wrestling with more energy and determination. Gil is ranked sixth at 126 by illinoismatmen.com

“I feel I’m at a good point,” Gil said. “I just need to pick up the intensity.”

Also winning for South were Casey Callahan (113) and Mike Romanelli (220) by major decisions and Kyle Hedge by decision.

Jacobs coach Chris Taylor said he was happy with the way his team kept the match close and is looking to the future with his younger wrestlers. Ferencz is a freshman, Ryan is ranked sixth at 106 as a sophomore.

“[Crystal Lake South] beat us by 40 points last year,” Taylor said. “I’m just impressed that our freshmen continue to win at the varsity level.”

Although not ranked in the state, Taylor said he has high expectations for Ferencz heading into the end of the season.

“Cody Ferencz is right there with [Ryan] in getting out of the sectional,” Taylor said.

Taylor has five freshmen wrestling at the varsity level and said he is excited about the future of the Golden Eagles’ program. In addition to Ricks and Ferencz, Jake Gatz, Brian Ta and Jacob Orth are on the varsity squad in their first year.

“Those five freshman have carried us all year,” Taylor said.