Mason Saldana of Green Valley, right, and Daniel Flores of El Modena High School in California wrestle in a 121 lbs. match during the Las Vegas Holiday Classic Wrestling Tournament at the Las Vegas Convention Center on Dec. 19.
Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2008 | 5:29 p.m.
Referee Mike Guerino annouces Mason Saldana of Green Valley winner after defeating Daniel Flores of El Modena High School in California wrestle in a 121 lbs. meet during the Las Vegas Holiday Classic Wrestling Tournament at the Las Vegas Convention Center on Dec. 19.
Mason Saldana of Green Valley, bottom, and Daniel Flores of El Modena High School in California wrestle in a 121 lbs. match during the Las Vegas Holiday Classic Wrestling Tournament at the Las Vegas Convention Center on Dec. 19.
Off to a 21-2 start this wrestling season, Green Valley High junior Mason Saldana is hoping his performance is a harbinger of good things to come.
After placing fourth at the state tournament last season in the 112-pound division, Saldana has his sights set on achieving a state championship at 121 pounds this year.
He took steps toward that goal at the Las Vegas Holiday Classic, one of the season's biggest tournaments, at the Las Vegas Convention Center on Friday and Saturday. Saldana opened the tournament with three straight wins, including two by pin, and took fifth with a 5-2 record.
"I feel good about how I've been wrestling today," Saldana said. "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 classic 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 mindset I have right now. I'm older. I've accepted more responsibility and I'm always trying to improve."
The classic, which included 69 teams, featured schools from Arizona, California, Nevada, Oregon, Utah and Washington.
Saldana is using these early season matches 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 has 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 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."
Ferry said the younger Saldana is still learning but has had no problem assuming the role of a team leader in his brother's absence. The older Saldana graduated last year.
"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."
Green Valley's Chris Fehlman, at 145 pounds, also took fifth at the classic, while Tony Simpson took seventh at 130 pounds.
Jared Harmon can be reached at 990-8922 or [email protected].
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