History of Fox Lake Wrestling Club

The Fox Lake Wrestling club has been inspired by the first family of Grant Wrestling, the Welters.  The Welters (Steve, John, Jimmy, Pat, and Casey) started a rich tradition of wrestling success back in the early 1960’s.  They had five brothers wrestle for Grant and as a family they reached the Illinois State Finals five times and won two state championships.  Currently John Welter is coaching at Lakes.  John has won two team state championships as coach at Stanton, and just recently Steve Welter retired from teaching and coaching at Waukegan High School.  Head Coach Ryan Geist and Coach John Welter have developed the “Grant System of Wrestling” and will continue to pass along the techniques and lessons learned to the members of the Fox Lake Wrestling Club. The Fox Lake Wrestling Club will be using the “Grant System of Wrestling.” Head Wrestling Coach Ryan Geist has developed his techniques by learning under Grant wrestling legends John Welter, Dave Kapraun, and Fred Loffredo.  

The very lessons Ryan Geist learned from Coach John Welter has lead directly to the recent success at Grant.  The “Grant System of Wrestling” over the past 9 years has won the North Suburban Conference 7 times, the Regional 6 times, made it to the Elite Eight 3 times and have never lost a Prairie Division meet (45-0).  The Grant system in the last nine years has produced a dual meet record of213-30 and 16 state placers, 7 state finalists and 3 state champions. The Grant System is the most successful system in Lake County and one of the best in the entire state. There is no magic pill to take for this kind of success.  Grant wrestlers have been taught and drilled using the “Grant System of wrestling “which will teach the basics correctly and to work harder than your opponents.

The Fox Lake Bulldogs Wrestling Club is the perfect opportunity to get started in wrestling. Wrestling unlike many other sports, is based upon how hard you work and not your physical size.  Wrestling is the perfect sport for anyone to enjoy success with the right frame of mind.  Wrestling develops many characteristics that are beneficial to a young man.  Wrestling teaches self discipline, responsibility, personal accountability, and most importantly how to get off your back when times are tough.