Wrestling: Vote now for the lohud Wrestler of the Week (Jan. 10-17)
After an exciting week on the mat, it's time to look at the top standout performers from Westchester, Rockland and Putnam. Clarkstown South's Liam Brew was previously voted lohud Wrestler of the Week.
We would like you, the reader, to survey our seven Wrestler of the Week finalists and cast your vote. The players' credentials are listed above the fan poll — which will be live until 1:30 p.m. Wednesday. The winner will be announced on lohud social media accounts on Wednesday night.
Now, let's meet the candidates. And if the poll at the bottom of the page doesn't load, please click here.
Midseason wrestling report: Breakout middle school-aged, freshmen wrestlers throughout Section 1
Previously: The top performers from Jan. 3-9 high school wrestling
Weekend scoreboard: Scores, results, and more from the weekend's high school wrestling action
Scarsdale Tournament: Carmel, Mahopac lead Lower Hudson Valley teams; list of individual champions
Nick Greco, Mahopac
The sophomore 126-pounder continues to impress, picking up two wins in dual meets against Horace Greeley and Brewster, before topping off his 5-0, undefeated week with a 126-pound title and sophomore Most Outstanding Wrestler honors at the Scarsdale Tournament. Greco pinned North Babylon's Vincent Romano midway through the first-period to secure the title on Saturday.
Jake Hoffmann, Fox Lane
The Fox Lane senior continued his dominance through the week, going 6-0, with four wins by first-period pinfall, another by forfeit, and one 11-3 major decision win over Iona Prep's Sean Degl in a marquee matchup over the weekend.
Colin Keating, John Jay-Cross River
Keating went 5-0 this past week, through dual meets against Yorktown, Mamaroneck and Somers/North Salem. He also competed in the Lakeland/Panas multi-meet. Keating, who normally competes at 172, even went up to 189 and defeated Mamaroneck all-section wrestler John McGowan to top off his undefeated stretch.
Anthony Lofaro, Ossining
The sophomore 138-pounder went 3-0 for the Pride. He got a 26-second pin to start off his week in a league meet against White Plains, then followed up with two more wins at the Lakeland/Panas multi-meet.
Chris Maroulis, Putnam Valley
The Tigers junior went 5-0 this past week, collecting three wins by pinfall, one win by technical fall, and a crucial 9-6 win by decision over Iona Prep's Kevin McCarvill, a Journal News/lohud.com top-five ranked Division I wrestler at 126 pounds.
Justin Smoot, Clarkstown North
The Rams' junior heavyweight went 4-0 and took first-place at the Highland Tournament on Saturday. Smoot pinned Washingtonville's Jake McVey to in the finals to win the 285-pound title. He also had a couple of forfeit wins in dual meets earlier in the week.
Joel Venables, Carmel
The Rams' senior 285-pounder went 6-0 this past week, topping off this unbeaten stretch with a dominant performance at the Scarsdale Tournament. He won all five of his matches by first-period pinfall, including a 25-second pin of Mamaroneck's Matt Sommer in the decisive title match, which also catapulted Carmel up the team standings into second place — above the rest of the Lower Hudson Valley teams in attendance.
Follow Eugene Rapay on Twitter at @erapay5 and on Instagram at @byeugenerapay.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Wrestling: Vote now for the lohud Wrestler of the Week (Jan. 10-17)
