Grant adds to rich mat legacy

No matter how you quantify or qualify it, this has been another great season for the Grant wrestling program.

The Bulldogs have had a lot of success this winter from the early stages of the season up to their three individual berths into the state meet this weekend in Champaign.

The story of the Grant wrestling program goes back to its early glory days, when Steve Welter took second place in the state in 1963 before winning back-to-back state crowns in 1964 and 1965.

The legendary Welter family was a mainstay for the Bulldogs' program in those days as John Welter took second place in 1967 before brother Jim Welter placed second in 1970.

And yes, one more Welter would reach great heights in state wrestling as Pat placed fourth in 1973.

The Grant brother duo of Don Rowden (1981) and Dave Rowden (1985) are among the 10 wrestlers in Bulldogs history who have taken state runner-up honors.

Fast forward to today where current Grant sophomore Lee Munster won the 119-pound state title last winter to become the third champion in school history.

After missing the early stages of the 2007-08 season, the 140-pound Munster exploded onto the scene with a perfect 26-0 record headed into the individual state meet.

While Munster, three-time state qualifier Izzy Montemayor (125), and 171-pound senior Josh DeLuca are focusing on the Assembly Hall this weekend, the Bulldogs still have the team sectional to deal with Feb. 19 at Libertyville.

"The team has realized we can win, they just have to go after it in the team sectional," said Munster. "It will be a very close dual with Libertyville and it will probably be between 6 points either way."

Grant's season started with a fourth-place tie at the Barrington tourney before the seventh-ranked Bulldogs (20-2) won championships at Glenbrook South, Sycamore, conference, and regionals.

Grant has won seven of the eight North Suburban Conference titles it has competed for including six in a row.

The Bulldogs reached the Elite Eight in 2004, 2006 (third), and 2007 while winning six straight regional crowns.

Head coach Ryan Geist is a Grayslake graduate who was a NWSC wrestling champ his freshman year at Grant. Geist qualified for state twice and placed fifth as a senior.

"Our kids have had a pretty good year obviously and every year it seems like we have a pretty good group of senior kids," said Geist, who has a 189-52 record in nine years. "As a result, we've had a pretty successful team and so far they've done a nice job."

Besides the three state qualifiers, Jason Montemayor (119), Rocky Bustos (130), Shelby Temple (135), Tyler Becker (145), Tyler Dempsey (152), Joe Loris (160), Jake Brown (189), and Dave Monroy (215) all reached sectionals.

Eventual state runner-up Montini eliminated Grant last year in the state quarterfinals. But the team sectional winner this year has an easier quarterfinal draw, against the Granite City champion.

"We go against Wheeling first (at sectionals) and I like how we match up against them and then we will probably face Libertyville," said Izzy Montemayor. "Everybody just has to wrestle hard and not get pinned or give up a major and we should be able to make state."

The Bulldogs lost three state qualifiers to graduation last year, but they just seem to keep building with four sophomores and four juniors contributing on varsity.

Munster is still the focal point as he embarks on a difficult road this weekend as the third-ranked wrestler in his class.

"Munster's plan is to repeat as state champ and to set his goals any different would be surprising," said Geist. "He keeps to himself and he works hard with his running and lifting and he doesn't waver from his goal to win state all year."

Izzy Montemayor could also reach the top of the mountain if all goes well this weekend. Grant has had at least one wrestler reach the state finals the past six years.

"He (Izzy) has done a tremendous job, he's been a leader by example, and he's just the ultimate wrestler," Geist said. "Hopefully this is the year he shows what he is caple of doing and he's good enough to win a state title."

The loss of six senior starters may have a huge impact on next season, but with Munster's presence for two more years the Bulldogs should remain a major factor.

"We didn't get as many through the sectional as we had hoped, but we turned it into a positive so they can focus on the team tournament," said Geist. "The challenge will be for next year's kids to step up and respond again and I expect them to do it."