Pressure situations happen in sports.
Fourth-quarter free throws. A shootout in hockey. A 27-yard field goal as time expires.
But what about nonsituational stress? What about the everyday pressure of holding a No. 1 ranking?
Oak Forest senior Nick Graziano knows the drill.
“There’s not a day in school that people don’t come by and ask if I’m going to win state,” Graziano said. “In one way, it’s pretty cool. In another, it’s nerve-racking.”
Graziano, a returning state-placer in Class 2A’s 220-pound division, is the top-ranked wrestler in his bracket, according to Illinois Matmen. He has a 27-3 record after winning the 14-team Leyden Invitational.
“Rankings are great and all, and being No. 1 is cool, but it comes with some responsibilities,” Graziano said. “It’s tough because you know everyone’s going for you. And to be honest, the rankings are always iffy. Anyone in the top 10 can take down the No. 1 wrestler.”
Graziano knows upsets are bound to happen — especially in heavier weight classes where size discrepancies can have the final word.
Yet knowing the perils of pressure and being hampered by it are two different things. Graziano, in talks to wrestle at Loras College and Wisconsin-Whitewater, holds a good grip on what’s at stake.
“People who know me know I’m a laid-back person,” Graziano said. “I really wouldn’t be (heartbroken) if I didn’t win state. I wouldn’t be upset, because I’d have lost for a reason. It’s not a fluke, and it’s not the end of the world. Me losing in the state finals won’t affect how much money I’ll make.”
Tourney time: It’s unlikely Oak Forest will grab six individual titles at Saturday’s South Suburban Tournament like last year, but Graziano and Brandon Muselman, a 113-pound state medalist who transferred from Tinley Park, should keep the Bengals in the thick of contention.
Last year, Graziano stormed away with the 220-pound title in about six minutes of total mat time. Muselman also won conference.
Oak Forest is the three-time defending champion, although Tinley Park appears the favorite after topping the Bengals in dual action. The Titans are led by undefeated Nebraska recruit Eric Schultz (195).
A dark horse is Reavis, the South Suburban Red dual champion.
Reavis lost heavyweight standout Jakub Kacki to a torn ACL before the season started, but the Rams still have legitimate title contenders in Kevin McDonald (113), Rene Sanchez (120) and Jimmy McAuliffe (138).
“Rene Sanchez is just a four-year wrestler,” Reavis coach Charlie Manning said. “You wouldn’t know it if you saw him. He’s a great athlete and a just a natural at the sport.”
McAuliffe (28-1) is the most seasoned of the bunch. Last week, the junior suffered his first loss of the season, a 2-1 defeat to Plainfield East’s Zach Krause.
“It’s always great to be undefeated, but I feel like carrying an undefeated record can add some pressure on a wrestler,” Manning said. “This may clear his head.”
New sheriff: The Catholic League, revamped by the additions of Marmion and Montini, can reassert its claim as the toughest conference tournament in the state this season, a distinction held by the SouthWest Suburban the last few years.
“It’s going to be a street fight, just like it was in the past,” said St. Rita coach Dan Manzella, the league’s Most Outstanding Wrestler in 2002 with the Mustangs.
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Mount Carmel, St. Rita, Providence and Brother Rice finished as the top four last season. The newcomers will likely have a say in the team standings Saturday at De La Salle.
Mount Carmel, one of the deepest teams in the state, will have to hold off Marmion for its sixth consecutive title.
Lawless Award: A pair of Big Ten recruits look like early favorites to nab the Catholic League’s Lawless Award, which is typically given to the senior with the best career.
St. Rita’s Jake Silzer, a 126-pound Illinois recruit, and Mount Carmel’s Jake Tucker, a 152-pounder headed to Michigan State, are worthy should they win their brackets.
Logan Malloy is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
TOP 10
Last week’s rank in parentheses
1. Mount Carmel (1)
2. Sandburg (2)
3. Lockport (3)
4. Lincoln-Way West (4)
5. Marian Catholic (5)
6. Providence (7)
7. Lincoln-Way East (9)
8. St. Rita (6)
9. Marist (8)
10. Lincoln-Way Central (10)
Wrestler of the Week: Providence’s Cole Smith (31-3) is looking like one of the top sophomores in the area. The 152-pounder won his bracket at the 17-team Geneseo Invite to help the Celtics tie Marian Catholic for first place.