Shoemaker's fortitude lifts Jacobs over Huntley

The stipulation read that if the Jacobs wrestling team locked in a win or was too far behind prior to its final match against rival Huntley, 220-pound Carson Shoemaker was going to take a back seat for health precautions.

Shoemaker's skin infection wasn't a major concern heading into Thursday's night's dual as it cleared up prior to the meet but it did provide some hesitation. A doctor's note however gave the Golden Eagles a major fail-safe and when Shoemaker's name was called to defend Jacobs' 36-28 Fox Valley Conference win in the nightcap after the Red Raiders made it close, the senior didn't hesitate.

Shoemaker had 2 near falls in a 20-13 win over Huntley's Mike Walker that capped matters on senior night in Algonquin. Shoemaker, who wasn't allowed to play on senior night during football season due to a back injury, certainly made up for that night and improved to 13-9 even though he was winded after losing about 6 pounds due to the illness.

"I was just trying to prepare either way," said Shoemaker on whether or not he'd perform. "I'm always happy to get on the mat and it's senior night, I was hoping I'd get the opportunity to wrestle."

It was a good thing he did as Huntley (11-6, 2-1), which was beaming after 195-pounder Petros Mihalopoulos pinned Jack Golnick at 1:50 to cut Jacobs' lead to 5 in the match prior, looked to steal one after it had originally jumped out to a 12-0 lead.

"It was really scary at the end there but the kids pulled it out," Jacobs coach Gary Conrad said. "Every time we face them it's always close. Last year we were tied at the end, almost the same thing but this year the coin was on our side."

Four Jacobs seniors wrestled in their final matches at home and two notched wins during the final match at the Eagles Nest, including 120-pounder Cody Ferencz, who improved to 21-4 after a 13-7 win over Juan Quiroz.

But the turning point came when Michael Ricks pinned CJ Darby with 3:25 left in the 170-class to break a tie and give the Golden Eagles (14-1, 3-1) momentum and a 28-22 lead after the dual seesawed between 126 and 160.

"We were talking about it, me and (Michael Bujacz), we know we wrestle based on how well the others do," Ricks said. "If I get a pin or if I do well he typically does too. He knew we had to keep it going."

That Bujacz did. Improving to 19-3, he completely dominated his match against Jestoni Losbanes, as a 21-1 tech fall led to a 33-22 Jacobs lead. That, coupled with Beau Harrier (113), David Dudych (126), Chris Dranka (132) and Dean Lane (145) victories, helped Jacobs when Huntley was missing state qualifier Ricky Vigil and had to bump up a few wrestlers in class.

"I kind of knew we matched up with them a little awkward," said Red Raiders coach BJ Bertelsman, who watched Chris Gamboa (138) and Brandon Meyer (152) gain wins. "They're a good team. I have no quarrel losing to those guys, hopefully we can come back and beat McHenry, I think we matchup a little better with (them)."