Boys Athlete of the Week // Nathan Kraisser, Centennial, wrestling

Centennial wrestler Nathan Kraisser was so determined to beat his nemesis, he went out of his way at Mount Mat Madness last weekend to wrestle down a weight class in hopes of facing Dom Malone of Wyoming Seminary (Pa.). Malone, the No. 7-ranked wrestler in the country at 119 pounds, had handed Kraisser, ranked No. 17 at 125, two of his three losses in 94 career matches. But Saturday night Kraisser beat Malone, 3-1, to win the weight class title and be named Wrestler of the Meet. It was the first Mount Mat Madness title in three years for the junior, who will return to the 125-pound class for the rest of the season. "Nathan has gotten a lot better in the top position, and once he got the takedown, Malone had no chance to get out," Centennial coach Dave Roogow said. Kraisser is 16-0 this season, carries a 3.5 GPA and has narrowed his college choices to North Carolina and Virginia Tech.

Others considered: Josh Adeyeye, basketball, Coppin Academy High School; Charlie Lynch, wrestling, Archbishop Spalding; Ian Miles, indoor track, Mount St. Joseph; Sam Pellerito, wrestling, Carver A&T