Grant Community High School’s Lee Munster has verbally committed to wrestle at Northwestern University. Munster has had a competitive background his entire life being involved with Judo since the age of 3 and wrestling since he was 8. He is a 7 time National Judo Champ and has taken International titles 5 times as well. He has wrestled competitively in all three styles: folkstyle, greco roman, and freestyle. He favors freestyle in the offseason because the pace is so much faster than the two other styles and the opportunity to score within a match is greater for him due to his aggressive offensive style. Wresting for Grant Lee achieved championships at the conference, regional, and sectional tournaments both freshman and sophomore years. He therefore qualified for IHSA State Wrestling Tournament Class AA both years and won the State Championship title at 119lbs as a freshman. Lee’s overall record at the high school level is 73-6.
This past July he wrestled at 152 pounds with Team Illinois during the USAWrestling Freestyle Junior Nationals in Okalhoma City, Ok. This was his second time wrestling with the Illinois Junior Dual Team; in July of last year as a Cadet he wrestled up in age at 135 pounds going 6-0 in a very competitive weight class and was named to the all-tournament team. This year Team Illinois achieved a remarkable third consecutive Freestyle National Championship, making them the first team to ever accomplish this three-peat in the history of the tournament.
Individually, this spring Munster participated in the FILA Cadet National Championships in Arkron, Ohio at 152 lbs. where he brought home a bronze metal with a 3rd Place finish. In freestyle wrestling a competitor must qualify to compete, so Munster participated in the Illinois Freestyle State Tournament held in Danville, Illinois. Munster dominated a very competitive 152 lbs. weight class in winning the State Championship, qualifying for the National tournament held in July. At the USA Wrestling Freestyle Junior Nationals held in Fargo, ND Munster was one of the younger competitors competing in this tournament at the 152 lbs weight division. This weight division was one of the largest of the tournament with 96 competitors representing 32 different states. During the tournament, Munster wrestled 11 matches, reeling off 9 straight victories, and placing 4th overall. This finish earned Munster All-American status.
Munster is in his junior year of high school and currently ranked number 2 in the nation at 152lbs by W.I.N. magazine. Ryan Geist of Grant High School coaches Munster. At a club level, Munster trains in the off-season at the Overtime School of Wrestling, and is coached by Sean Bormet. Munster is projected to wrestle 165/174 in college.
In addition to his athletic accomplishments Lee maintains above a 4.0/A=4 GPA. He keeps himself busy hanging out with his friends and family; he enjoys water sports, fishing, snowboarding, and learning guitar. His family has supported him throughout his competitions and is looking forward to being able to watch him wrestle for Northwestern. Grandpa Munster is his most loyal fan and has logged many miles to attend tournaments and routinely drives him to and from Naperville for practices. His greatest hope is for Lee to win an NCAA wrestling championship for Northwestern.
Lee states: “I have been thinking about the future for quite a while. It has been my goal to wrestle at the collegiate level and to attend a university with challenging academics as well as a successful wrestling program that is not too far from my home. Northwestern U fits my needs and goals perfectly, I am ready and very happy to commit to the next level at this point in my life. I am honored to be able to have the opportunity to wrestle at Northwestern U and look forward to working with the team and Coaches Cysewski and Pariano. Meantime, I can focus on finishing with a successful high school career and am proud to be a future WILDCAT!”
