Martinez leaves Graham wrestling program

ST. PARIS — Two-time state champion Felipe Martinez is leaving his wrestling family to stay near his real family.

The sophomore dynamo, one of the top-ranked wrestlers in the country in the 140-pound weight class, has left Graham and is enrolled at Oregon Clay near Toledo.

For all involved, it was an agonizing split.

“We’re going to miss Graham; we’re all really heartbroken,” said Cookie Martinez, Felipe’s mom, Thursday evening, April 29. “It was a really hard struggle for us, but I had to go where I had to go to take care of my family.”

Graham coach Jeff Jordan said he understood completely.

“Felipe’s family is having some major issues and his mom just got a great job in Toledo in the nursing field, which will allow her to make the money she desperately needs to support her family,” he said.

“I told her, ‘Family is first. And Felipe has to be with his family.’ He has to go with his mom, and there isn’t any doubt he would go. Plus his grandparents on both sides are up there.”

Read the entire article By Kermit Rowe of www.springfieldnewssun.com here…