Green Valley’s Saldana hopes for early treat at Las Vegas Holiday Classic

By Jared Harmon

Friday, Dec. 19, 2008 | 10 p.m.

Off to a 21-2 start this wrestling season, Green Valley High junior Mason Saldana is hoping his early start is a harbinger of more good things to come.

After placing fourth at the Nevada State Wrestling Championships last season in the 112-pound division, Saldana has his sights set squarely on achieving a state championship at 121 pounds this year.

He took steps to that goal at the Las Vegas Holiday Classic, one of the season's biggest tournaments, at the Las Vegas Convention Center Friday and Saturday.

Saldana went 3-0 Friday night picking up three straight wins off two pins and a 10-2 decision.

"I feel good about how I've been wrestling today," Saldana said. "In the past it didn't turn out this well but I feel really prepared. Our coaches have us really well conditioned so I feel ready even though it's early in the season."

Last year Saldana went 4-2 at the tournament on his way to a 37-16 season.

He said the difference this year has been a mixture of added experience and focus on the sport.

"I think I'm off to a great start but the big thing is keeping that going," he said. "I can't let up or lose the mind-set I have right now. I think my improvement has been an accumulation of everything I've learned from the last two seasons. I'm older, I've accepted more responsibility and I'm always trying to improve."

The Holiday Classic attracted 60 teams this year with wrestlers from Arizona, California, Nevada, Oregon, Utah and Washington.

While performing his best at the tournament is a priority, Saldana said he's using these early season matches as a way to gauge where his strengths and weaknesses lie and begin working on those weaknesses in time for the postseason.

"I'm expecting Mason to exceed his success last year," Green Valley coach Jon ferry said. "He's definitely got the talent. He's a good leader and a positive role model for the younger guys. He's very coachable, he listens and takes criticism well. He's got all the tools."

Saldana said he has also had the benefit of growing up as the younger brother of former Green Valley standout Landon Saldana. With his older brother now graduated, Mason Saldana said he feels like it's his time to start his own path.

"At first I got a lot of my technique from Landon — he was like my role model," Mason Saldana said. "But I think where he knew more moves and how to apply each one, I wrestled harder and with more heart. I got to learn off his mistakes and learn what he did, but at a younger age so I think I'm further along now than he was at this point in his career."

Ferry said the younger Saldana is still learning every day but has had no problem assuming the role of a team leader in his brother's absence.

"Mason is really coming into his own this season," Ferry said. "He's taken this team on his shoulders. He's certainly not in anyone's shadow."

Jared Harmon can be reached at 990-8922 or [email protected].