There's no reason for Clint Jacob to be concerned with his individual ranking or level of recognition right now.

Regional tournaments are this week and the Pleasant Grove senior is still busy playing catchup after an early season injury. Instead of scouring the Internet and the message boards and blogs, Jacob is more likely to be found -- still -- in the Vikings' wrestling room as long as two hours after practice officially concludes.

"I hardly ever look at the rankings," admits Jacob, the Vikings' state champion in the 160-pound flight. "If I did, I would just psyche myself out.

"I don't need that distraction," Jacob said. "You can't underestimate any opponents. You just have to take it one match at a time and do your best at each match."

For those scoring at home and also those following Utah high school wrestling, Jacob is once again considered among the elite. One Web site has him listed as the state's second best 5A wrestler in 160 -- trailing Jordan's Dylan Howell -- and another has him ahead of Powell when it comes to 5A wrestlers but fourth overall.

"I don't think it's a matter of him being underrated, it's a matter of him being hurt and missing all that time," said Pleasant Grove coach Brock Moore.

That ankle injury has effectively healed, so the main focus has been on recovering Jacob's stamina.

"He's a hard worker whose pushes through the pain," Moore said. "He's a solid wrestler. Let's see what he can do with a full tank of gas."

"Being out of shape has been the most difficult part," Jacob said. "That's why I've been staying after practice."

Jacob had a solid run last year as a junior competing at the 145-pound level. He claimed a region championship and battled Viewmont star Danner Kjar in a tightly contested state championship final that Kjar won 2-1.

Weight training and simple teenage growth elevated Jacob to 160 this year. When he did get into action, Jacob won his first 10 bouts before the Rocky Mountain Rumble, where he settled for seventh place after losing to an Idaho wrestler in the quarterfinals and again in the consolations to Desert Hills' Jalen Weaver. Prior to that, Jacob had registered two pins and a technical fall for a nice run through the opening rounds.

An undefeated run through last weekend's 5A duals improved his record to 18-3, but Jacob knows that elusive signature accomplishment awaits.

"I'm still looking for that championship final," Jacob said.

"He'll be ready for regionals, but Clint knows the state championship is the one that really matters," Moore said.

Then the ratings will be worth a look.