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Grahams: Coach watches son win Class A state wrestling title at 215

February 15, 2009

Northwest Montana A Conference

Emotional finale for Libby's Grahams: Coach watches son win Class A state wrestling title at 215

By DIXIE KNUTSON/The Daily Inter Lake

Published: Sunday, February 15, 2009 1:34 AM CST BILLINGS - What a way to finish.

Libby's Jay Graham coached his final two championship wrestling matches Saturday night at the state tournament.

One match was a 7-5 decision that went the way of Polson's Brock Picard.

But the second one, Graham will treasure forever.

His youngest son, Justin, captured the 215-pound Class A state title with a 4-0 decision over Columbia Falls' Kelly Houle.

"This is what I've dreamt about since I started this," Justin Graham said.

"I always went on the bus rides with my dad and the older kids. They all had the big old plaques and I've always wanted one.

"Everybody in my family got one and it's finally my turn," he said.

"I went to a camp over the summer, my dad told me to, and I'm really glad I listened to him," he said.

He also got some help from some of Libby's past state champions - his older brother Jake, family friends Keevin and Steve Bertelsen and Josh Erickson were among those who came up and "worked on me. I'm just glad it finally paid off," he said.

Justin and his dad shared an emotional moment afterward.

"I'm so proud of him and I'm so relieved for him," Jay Graham said.

"Coaches kids have advantages in a lot of ways, but unfortunately, they also have a lot of pressure. It's unspoken, but it's there constantly, especially with a big brother and friends (who have all won state titles)," he said.

"I was just thinking about how he's taught and coached me for so many years and it finally paid off. I'm just glad he's my coach," Justin said of his dad.

"Kelly and he have gone back and forth. It could have went either way, just like it always does," Jay Graham said.

"But he really wanted it and I was awful proud that he just went out and got the job done," he added.

And that earlier match that Libby lost - 171-pounder Seth Wright fell 7-5 to Picard.

"Seth, I'm so proud of that kid for what he's been through. That match could have gone either way. It's amazing what he did," Jay Graham said.

"It was a good way to go out. It can't get any better than that. It's been wonderful and I've enjoyed it, but ... it's time to meet my wife again," he said.

The only thing missing for Justin was his grandfather.

"He passed away my sophomore year. I just wish he'd been there. I've been praying to him and he's been watching over me," Justin said.

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