Jacobs impressive in beating Dundee-Crown

Rarely mentioned as a major player during the Fox Valley Conference tournament, the Jacobs wrestling program will likely be in the hunt next weekend when the tournament begins at McHenry High School.

The Golden Eagles (15-1-0, 3-1-0) continued adding to their impressive 2014-2015 resume after their 44-16 victory on Thursday, spoiling Dundee-Crown's Senior Night before a big crowd in Carpentersville.

"This is easily the best this program has seen in its history," said Jacobs coach Gary Conrad, who has done a marvelous job, along with his staff, in bringing together a terrific group from nowhere to somewhere in just his third year at the helm.

"This was a good win for us here tonight, but when you have an opponent like (Dundee-Crown) which is real scrappy, and gritty, who makes you work for everything, it makes you and the guys realize you've got to come out prepared and not flat like tonight and be ready to go against each and every opponent."

The Chargers (16-12-0, 0-5-0) who tirelessly worked all evening long to keep the highflying Golden Eagles from recording a blowout victory, were inspired by a brilliant performance in the opening bout from the state's No. 2 rated Christian Brunner, who opened the night with a pin at 195 pounds in just 1:13 and later from senior Jarrod Rapp, who stunned Michael Bujacz (23-4) in the final event of the night, with a 16-2 major decision at 182.

"What a difference a year makes," began Chargers' first-year head coach, Matt Wahl. "At our Senior Night last season, we won on the final match of the night before a huge crowd. But we lost nine starters from that team, and this year, we're starting over at many of our weights, but the guys continue to work hard, and give it their all, and that's what it's all about when your beginning with just a few guys with varsity experience."

Brunner, undefeated this year, looked unstoppable in his short stint on his home floor, perhaps giving a glimpse of what's ahead for the Chargers' faithful during the next four weeks of the season.

"Christian looks great to me - he's just a beast," admired Conrad.

"I'm feeling really good right now, but I also know it's a building process leading up to my goal of being on top of the podium in Champaign at the end of February," said the junior Brunner, who won 46 matches last season on his way to a memorable run at a state title.

"I am lucky to have a great coaching staff, and great partner in the room with Jarrod Rapp, so I know if I continue working hard, and staying healthy, both physically and mentally, I'll have a chance when the time comes."

Brunner, Rapp, Christian Rodriguez (285) and Adam Gutierrez (126) gave the home side its only victories on the night, with the senior Gutierrez earning the last win before the visitors reeled off six consecutive wins to break open a close (18-12) match up to that point."

"Jacobs is a very good team, who seemed to win every scramble and close match, which we saw over and over and over again," admitted Wahl.

Cody Ferencz was solid during his 16-4 major at 120 to give the senior his 26th win on the year, and after the Gutierrez 6-3 decision, Chris Dranka (29-3), Jacob Sabella (138, 15-9), Dean Lane (145, 24-4) and Jacob Orth (152, 15-11) racked up 17 unanswered points for the Golden Eagles.

Freshman Loren Strickland (160) and senior Michael Ricks (170) finished off a 26-0 run with a decision, and pin, before the aforementioned Rapp ended things on a high note for the Chargers.

"Jarrod is a lot stronger than he looks in that 170-pound frame, and after a so-so finish at the Geneva Invite (where he finished 4th) he's really come on since then," said Wahl.

Freshmen Caleb Harnish (106) won his first varsity match with a 3-2 victory, while teammate Beau Harrier (19-5), coming off a big 4-2 win over Huntley's star 113-pounder, No. 10 Josh Stringer, continued to shine during his pin at 3:05.

"We'll have another Senior Night on Friday at Cary-Grove, so I hope we warm up a little better, and come out ready to compete against them," said Conrad, who takes his club to Plainfield North for duals with Conant and Downers Grove North, plus the hosts, in preparation of the FVC tournament.

Dundee-Crown will host its annual end-of-the-year mega dual this Saturday.