Franklin Regional junior John Montgomery is looking to be the best heavyweight wrestler in the state.
According to his high school coach, Matt Lebe, Montgomery’s love of wrestling drives him to work hard.
That hard work is, obviously, paying off this offseason.
He recently represented Pennsylvania on the 16U team that won the Duals National championship in freestyle and Greco Roman, where Montgomery went 7-0 in both events in Farmington, Utah. Last year, he went 2-5 in Greco and 7-1 in freestyle.
He earned all-tournament honors in both events.
Other events he participated in were the 16U Folkstyle Nationals, where he placed second in Des Moines, Iowa; the 16U Northeast Regional team champion in freestyle and Greco Roman; and he went 7-2 competing for Rob Waller’s All-American team at Virginia Beach.
He has also attended numerous camps and practices at West Virginia, Pitt, Utah Valley and Michigan, where he practiced with Wolverine legends Mason Paris, Adam Coon and Taye Ghadiali at heavyweight camp.
“I have made a huge jump the past few months,” Montgomery said. “I learned a lot at the Michigan camp, and from all my coaches at Franklin Regional (Lebe, Greg Sill, Steve Stremple and Ralph Petrarca), Robbie Waller, Norwin coach Kyle Martin and four-time NCAA national champion Yianni Diakomihalis.”
Other college coaches included Buffalo’s Donny Vinson, Clarion’s Brock Zacherl and Utah Valley’s Ed Scott.
He also had private practices with PIAA champions Jake Beistel (Southmoreland) and Elijah Brown (Belle Vernon) and PIAA runner-up Cooper Roscosky of Kiski Area.
Montgomery began his high school career as a freshman competing at 189 and 215 pounds, finishing with a 23-16 record.
Last season, Montgomery went 43-10 at heavyweight, placing fifth in the WPIAL and fourth in the West Regional. He went 0-2 in the state tournament.
He also helped Franklin Regional win WPIAL and PIAA Class 3A team titles.
Montgomery’s busy summer continued with a stop at Wyoming Seminary before a practice at the New York Military Academy in Firthcliffe, N.Y.
“I have learned a lot of defensive moves that will help me,” Montgomery said.
He also plans to visit West Point, North Carolina and possibly Minnesota.
The 6-foot-5, 235-pound rising junior plans to wrestle in the heavyweight class at a weight of 240 pounds.
He is lifting weights five times a week and is on a strict diet to maintain his desired weight.
And the rest of his summer is packed with numerous competitions.
He, along with Franklin Regional teammates Mike Ruane and Chase Smith, will represent Pennsylvania this week at the Fargo, N.D., Freestyle and Greco Invitational Championships.
There also is the Battle of the Burgh in September with his Franklin Regional team, the Elite 8 (invite only) in Atlanta in September and Super 32 in November. Then, he will help Franklin Regional try to defend its WPIAL and PIAA team titles.
“I have received a lot of valuable advice,” Montgomery said.
Lebe added: “John is focused on improving, and he is in the right environment. His progress reflects the time and effort he is putting in.”