Izzy gets busy for Grant
CHAMPAIGN -- If Izzy Montemayor continues like this, the Grant senior could succeed in winning the big prize at the Class AA wrestling state tournament at 125 pounds.
Montemayor (39-3), rated No. 3 or 4 in most state mat publications, stunned No. 1 Ellis Coleman of Oak Park 8-7 in quarterfinal action to earn a spot in today's semifinals against Rock Island junior Sepehr Kalhor (39-4).
"It was all about matching speed and strength against Coleman," said Montemayor, who opened the tourney with an 11-4 win over Mike Grice of Shepard.
"I am real proud of Izzy's work today," said Grant coach Ryan Geist. "He had a great start getting that (takedown) in the opening moments of the match, then kept up the pressure and intensity on (Coleman), especially when officials called that tech (violation) midway through the second period."
Montemayor was in control the entire match despite the final score, extending his lead to 8-2 to force Coleman to work from an unfamiliar deficit.
"Izzy getting this win kind of erases his double (OT) loss and triple overtime loss he suffered here last year," Geist said. "He deserved to win this match."
Ryan Lund of Grayslake Central is threatening to make a real impact at 135 pounds after three straight victories, which included an impressive 6-2 win over No. 11 Ryan Earley of Wheaton North to seal his spot in today's semifinals against top-seed Josh Kratovil (36-0) of Lincoln-Way Central.
"I guess I really don't know what the (difference) is here, except that my confidence is the best I've ever had," said Lund, who last week needed a victory in his third-place match at the Barrington sectional to secure his trip here.
"I am so proud of Ryan," said Grayslake Central coach Bret Pitt, who had to ask what the final score was long after Lund had recorded his 44th win of the season. "Ryan has been so focused of late, and he was ready to go right from the start of the tournament this morning. He's a great team captain and the hardest worker in the room."
Unfortunately, the news across Lake County wasn't all good.
Defending state champion Lee Munster (140), unable to keep pace with Rock Island senior Reese Taylor (40-2), fell in his quarterfinal bout 7-5.
The Grant sophomore now moves over to wrestleback competition which is set to begin at 9 a.m. today.
"Our conditioning at (Rock Island) is second to none, and I really believe that was the difference in my match with Munster," said Taylor, whose victory helped open up a now wide-open weight class which figured to be Munster's to win.
Munster will be joined by several of his comrades from the North Suburban Conference, including Stevenson senior Bobby Vagun (34-2). He appeared primed for a long run in the championship round after coming off a superb post-season which included first-place medals at the NSC tournament as well as regional and sectional competition.
However, Vagun was stopped in the quarters by Dundee-Crown's Ryan Horcher 10-5 to send the Patriots' co-captain into wrestlebacks.
"I was a little sluggish in my opener -- maybe it was a case of nerves," said Vagun.
Vagun is one of 11 still alive and in medal contention, with Libertyville sophomore Matt Bystol (37-6 at 103), Eduardo Dominguez (Mundelein, 38-7 at 112) and Kevin Fanta (32-8 at 125) both having solid days despite their position in wrestlebacks.
Bystol gave No. 2 Ed Cooper of Providence a good match until falling 5-1, while Dominguez did the same against No. 2 Keith Surber (O'Fallon) in an 11-4 loss.
Fanta (32-8), in his first state appearance after a brief stay with the Bears varsity last season, started strong with a dazzling 12-3 major decision win before falling to Providence senior Mark Augle.
Showing determination and drive, Carmel senior Ryan Williams (27-7) survived a wild finish to defeat Ben Treat of Edwardsville 8-7 before falling victim to Clayton Kendall of De La Salle by fall.
And finally, Libertyville star and team leader Trey Ayala saw his high school career on the individual come to an abrupt halt after he lost his opener to Matt Walters (Neuqua Valley), who would later fall to John Majka of St. Rita.
Ayala ended the regular season with a sparkling 37-7 overall record.