match at Salem High School. PHOTO BY BRIAN HOFFMAN.
The Salem High wrestlers will be looking to make some noise in the annual “Big Blue” wrestling tournament this weekend. The tournament attracts some top competition and is one of the most competitive regional tournaments of the entire high school season.
The tournament starts Friday at 4 pm and continues through the evening. It picks up with championship semifinals and consolation matches Saturday at 10:30 am and runs through the 6 pm championships on Saturday evening. The Spartans warmed up for the big tournament with their “Senior Night” tri-match at Salem last Thursday.
Prior to the match Spartan seniors Thomas Miles, Taylan Herndon, Ty Porter, Elvin Ramos, Dakota McLaughlin, Caden Thomas, Haden Smith, Brandon Conklin and Cooper Purl were recognized. Once the wrestling started the Spartans swept visiting Cave Spring and William Fleming. The Fleming match went down to the final bout, with Salem leading 36-27 heading into the final match at 150. Taylan Herndon was on the mat for Salem, and all he needed to do was avoid getting pinned for Salem to win. “I didn’t get a chance to tell him how important it was that he not get pinned, but the senior knew his job and lost a close match, but we won the dual,” said Salem coach Lawrence Van Liew as Salem won 36-33. “I am very proud of how far this team has come, and we are getting ready for post season.”