Pursuit of perfection drives St. Mark's Grisz

For the last two years, St. Mark's senior Ben Grisz has been close to perfection.

As a sophomore, his sole defeat came in the national prep semifinals. And last year, Grisz went all the way to the finals at 189 pounds before losing his first match.

"It was one of the most frustrating experiences in my life," he said.

Those defeats have made him want that national title even more, especially since this could well be his last year in wrestling. He has accepted a baseball scholarship offer from Duke.

"That's a little depressing to think about," he said of the end to his wrestling career. "Hopefully, I can find some intramural club."

Grisz has been wrestling since he was 5 years old after his dad saw an advertisement for the Highland Park youth club.

He doesn't want to graduate without winning national and remaining undefeated. Coach Rick Ortega believes Grisz will get a third chance.

"Knowing Ben, knowing his mental toughness and drive, he will be back," he said.

As the wrestling season is about to start, Grisz said it's hard to avoid the memories of last year's defeat.

Down by one point at the start of the third period, he still had a chance to win, but he said he made a couple of mistakes that cost him.

Ortega said Grisz did well but faced somebody with more experience who was ranked first in the nation. Grisz was seeded second.

But Grisz said he feels like he needs to work even harder.

The worst part is waiting for the national prep meet, Grisz said. To avoid losing focus during the season, he reminds himself about staying undefeated.

"It's my fault if I lose," Grisz said.

Frisco Centennial's Martin inspires her teammates

FRISCO – This year, Emily Martin has several aspirations of her own.

Martin, who was 38-1 and won the UIL state championship at 110 pounds last season, wants to make an impact on the national scene and perhaps even work her way to the Olympics.

But that hasn't distracted the Frisco Centennial senior from her team duty.

After the graduation of two-time state champion Lené Wood and two other seniors, Martin has assumed more of a leadership role.

When she was a sophomore, Martin recalled how watching Wood inspired her.

Now Martin has become a role model.

"I called her my god of wrestling," said junior wrestler Neda Hassani. "I wish I could wrestle her every day. She teaches you so many things. Other people just kind of beat up on you, but she actually helps you out."

Martin knows the techniques so well, that she is able to teach her teammates the perfect way to perform certain moves, Hassani said. First she wrestles you, and then she explains what you did wrong.

And at the end of practice, Martin usually gives a little speech to keep her teammates motivated, said junior wrestler Melija Mithani.

"Everybody wants state, but who wants to fight for it?" said Martin in one her speeches after practice.

That's why her teammates and coaches weren't shocked to hear that Martin wants to be a high school wrestling coach some day. She is already training to become one.

WRESTLERS TO WATCH: BOYS

WRESTLERS TO WATCH: GIRLS

KEY DATES

NOV. 12: First day for UIL meets and tournaments

FEB. 2: UIL district meets

FEB. 8-9: UIL regional meets; TAPPS state meet, Bishop Dunne

FEB. 16: Prep State, Houston

FEB. 22-23: UIL state meet, Austin; Prep Nationals, Bethlehem, Pa.