Being a wrestling team captain at Granite City, with the Warriors' proud history, is no small honor.
But this year's captains - seniors Chad Whitford (152 pounds), Josh Dowdy (160) and Justin Valencia (170) - are doing their part to live up the tradition.
"All of them had varsity matches as freshmen, so I'd like to see all three qualify for the state tournament this year," said Granite City coach Allen Kirgan. "Valencia is the only one who has been there, but he wasn't too happy about the way things turned out last year."
Valencia qualified for state as a junior was pinned in the first round by Kean Loupee of Crystal Lake South after having lost to Loupee in overtime during the regular season.
"It was my first trip to Champaign and it was kind of scary," said Valencia, who was down 3-2 when he got caught in a headlock. "I'm ready to go this year. I've wrestled in a lot of big matches and it's just a matter of winning them.
"I'm pushing myself and I'm digging deep. I'm confident on my feet and I'm confident on top and bottom."
Last season, Granite City was 21-3 in duals and won a regional title despite missing nearly half of the starting lineup at times with injuries. Valencia hopes the Warriors will be healthier this year.
"Chad (Whitford) is hurting and Cain Salas, who is ranked third in the state, is out right now," Valencia said. "We have a lot of young talent like D.J. Millette and Josh Rozell. Some guys are bumping up two weight classes, but I told them my freshman year I weighed 168 and had to wrestle 189, so don't let get discouraged. You have to go out there and fight every time.
"We had another kid miss weight and in the first meet, you've got to get the cobwebs out. But I think we can make a run for it this year and do something special."
Valencia got an early start in wrestling, but didn't stick with it.
"I started when I was 6 or 7, but I wasn't really into it," Valencia said. "I came back out my eighth-grade year and (assistant coach) George Kirgan started taking me everywhere and I've been running with it ever since. Hopefully I can win a state title this year."
Dowdy is equally enthusiastic about his leadership role.
"There's much more responsibility, but it feels great being an influence for all the younger kids," Dowdy said. "I know they look up to all of us, so I want to create the best example I can and go out there and do what I have to do.
"We definitely have a tradition here at Granite City High School dating back to 1937 (the first state qualifier). We go to schools all over the place and you will not see a list of place winners that big. Some schools are lucky to have sectional qualifiers."
Like Valencia, Dowdy started wrestling at a young age but quit for several years.
"Back then it wasn't my thing and I didn't have my mind right," said Dowdy, who reached the second round of the sectional as a junior. "I got out of it but started up again my sixth-grade year at Grigsby (Middle School) and I've wrestled all three years there and all four years at the high school.
"I've never been to state, so making it there is a big goal for me. This year I feel great on top and I can pretty much ride just about anybody out. My cradle is one of my go-to moves and I love to use it whenever I can.
"In this room, we have one of the best coaching staffs you can possibly ask for. They've got tons of experience and they help me a lot."
Opening the season with wins in the first three duals only added to Dowdy's high hopes for the Warriors.
"We have a lot of talented kids and we can do some good things," Dowdy said. "We have a few couple holes that we need to fill (due to injuries), but we'll find a way to do it."
Whitford hurt his right shoulder in practice early last week while working out with Valencia. On Nov. 23, he aggravated the injury in the opening seconds of a match against Cahokia and had to forfeit. Earlier in the night, he got a forfeit win against East St. Louis and picked up a victory against Mount Zion as the Warriors opened the season with a home quad meet.
"I think it will be good by the time (Thanksgiving) break is over," Whitford said. "It was something minor and I thought I could handle it, but during that match it got messed up a lot worse than it was. I'd rather not take a chance on at this point so I can finish out the season strong."
Whitford started wrestling in middle school and has been on the varsity for four years. He was at 125 pounds as a freshman and moved up to 135 and then to 145 before reaching his present weight. A two-time sectional qualifier, he's aiming for his first trip to the state tournament.
"I'm better on my feet than I was last year, partly because of my training partners, Justin Valencia and Josh Dowdy," Whitford said. "Dowdy is really strong and Valencia is real technical."
Cole Whitford, Chad's brother, is a junior heavyweight for the Warriors.
"He's my big little brother," Whitford said, laughing. "We do a lot of smack talking and it's a constant battle between us to see who is better."
As Whitford runs down a list of his teammates, it's easy to see why he's encouraged about Granite City's potential.
"Josh Rozell (106) is a tough little guy and he's below the weight he's wrestling at," Whitford said. "Justin Nelson (106 or 133) is pretty good and D.J. Millette, our 120-pounder, is a very capable wrestler.
"Our 145-pounder was supposed to be Cain Salas, but he had surgery (for a hernia) and he'll be back before the end of the season. We've got me at 152 and then we start hitting the heart of our lineup with Dowdy, Valencia and Alex Brooks (182).
"Sam Tamayo is pretty strong at 195, Josh Masters is very good at 220 and my brother Cole is at heavyweight. We're strong up and down the lineup."
