Grant's Montemayor oh-so-close to crown
CHAMPAIGN -- Always in the shadow of countless elite wrestlers at Grant, Izzy Montemayor stepped into the spotlight Saturday night.
Although the four-year star fell just short in his bid to capture a state title at 125 pounds, nothing can detract from a glorious run to the biggest match of his high school career.
Montemayor dropped a heartbreaking 3-1 decision to two-time state champion Tony Ramos (38-1) of Glenbard North.
Montemayor became the latest shining star in a long line of special athletes at this state wrestling powerhouse.
He put his imprint on the Bulldogs wall of fame alongside the likes of two-time state champion and Illinois star Jimmy Kennedy, John Deneen, Daniel Dennis, Joe Barczak and others.
Montemayor reached the final by defeating No. 1 Ellis Coleman of Oak Park-River Forest 8-7 in the quarterfinals and beating Brother Rice freshman Malik Taylor by a fall in his afternoon semifinal.
"It is so nice to have a great kid like Izzy have a chance to be in the spotlight," said Grant coach Ryan Geist. "He's been right there the past couple of years both on the high school level and during the off-season at Fargo during the nationals, so he earned the right and opportunity to be in a position like this one tonight."
Last season in Champaign, Montemayor appeared poised to make a serious medal run when he advanced to the semifinals, but he was sent into the wrestle-backs after a 5-2 overtime loss to Zach Taylor of Machesney Park.
His tournament ended in another OT loss, this one 3-2 against Glenbard North's Gino Capezio.
En route to this season's finals, Montemayor captured a championship belt at the North Suburban Conference meet and added regional and sectional crowns.
"I've always enjoyed being a part of a terrific program like ours," Montemayor said. "I've been fortunate to be around so many great wrestlers during my four years there. Guys like Jimmy (Kennedy) and last year Lee Munster have inspired me with their individual state championship to work harder to reach this big match at state tonight."
Montemayor looked sharp and quick against Ramos in the first 90 seconds of the title bout -- with most of the match to that point wrestled up and off the mat.
Ramos started down in the second period, and quickly recorded an escape. Montemayor suffered a tough bit of luck when a slight retreat to find his balance cost him.
"Not sure want really happened, but I lost my balance moving backwards and (Ramos) took advantage and took me down."
Trailing 3-0, and needing a takedown to close the gap, Montemayor attempted to do so -- but Ramos defended well, even when he was able to get in with 30 seconds to go.
"Tony and I have been wrestling friends since eighth grade, but not tonight," Montemayor said. "That slip may have cost me the match. At least things would have been different at 1-0, but right now all I am feeling is it was great to get into the final
"The one thing about this weekend is that I got better with each match. I used my speed, strength and experience to get out in front and take control of each match."