Salem High has high hopes as seven wrestlers head to the Class 4 state tournament in Virginia Beach this weekend. The tournament will be held Friday and Saturday at the Virginia Beach Sports Complex.
“We have seven athletes headed to state and three of them have medaled there,” said Salem coach Lawrence Van Liew. “Five of the seven have been to the state tournament before, so this is a very experienced post season group.”
Salem is sending three region champs to the beach, Derek Bush at 120, Anthony Baudanza at 132 and Jake James at heavyweight. Others in the tournament include Sayge Herndon at 106, Patrick Patterson at 113, Kolynn Eastman at 126, Giuseppe Baudanza at 138 and Jake Preston at 215. The Spartans were runner-up to James Wood in the recent Region 4D tournament and aim to place high in the state.
“Every practice we breakdown with, ‘state champs,’ so that is the ultimate goal for each individual, and for the team,” said Van Liew. “The highest place we have had as a team came in 2020 when we finished sixth. This year we have the potential to finish in the top five as a team.”
Salem has had a good year and hopes to finish strong.
“My goal is four finalists and 3 placers,” said Van Liew. “We have enough potential to have the highest team place we have ever had. How you finish one season is how the next one begins. We plan to finish this season, or start the next season very strong.”
