| Hi, my name is Manuel (Manny) Saldate. I am fourteen years old and a Freshman at SLAM Academy in Las Vegas, Nevada. I come from a big family of 8. I have 3 sisters–Sabrina, Marlene, and Alyssa, and 2 brothers–Antonio and Marcelo Saldate. My parents Tony and Yevette Saldate raised me and my siblings around athletics. When I’m not wrestling I enjoy supporting my older 2 sisters in softball, my younger sister in soccer, and my brothers in wrestling. I also enjoy spending my free time with my family, going off-roading, barbecuing, and fishing, and I enjoy doing these at my Uncle David’s Ranch. I also love his animals. |
| |
|
As a kid, I would watch my older brother Antonio Saldate at wrestling practice and try to replicate the moves he did. After my coach, Jake Rollans, saw me replicating these moves he asked my parents to sign me up. My wrestling journey began at age four with Team GV under many great coaches such as Jake Rollans, Richard Razo Jr., Bill Sullivan, Joe Cannon, and many great wrestlers. I learned to love the sport very quickly after attending my first practice. From that young age, I had many successes and losses but through it all, I continued to work hard to reach my full potential. In my first year at State in 2012, I took First in both my Freestyle and Folkstyle brackets, but and did not place in Greco. This loss made me strive to get better, until finally I Triple-Crowned at 65 lbs in 2017. That same year I took 2nd Place at Salt Lake Slam and Beehive Brawl. I continued to become the best. |
| |
| In 2016, Coach Jake took the High School Wrestling Position at SLAM Academy. I continued my training with Coach Jake. Along the way, Coach Jesse Farrer, always stayed in my corner and helped me train. He traveled with me to many big tournaments and was always a big supporter in my life. He always believed that I could be the best. Eventually, I had to find a new team. This is when I met Coach Pete Martin at Pistol Wrestling. This team that was once a rival, welcomed me as one of their own. Coach Pete was a great role model to me, as he teaches integrity through wrestling. He is a fireman, and in his off time he helped coach kids in the community. This showed me a great example of how to continue to give back to my community, even after my career is done. As I continued to get better I placed in many big tournaments. I was Triple-Crown at Western Regionals in 2015 and Marines Western Regionals in 2019. |
| |
| Most recently I began wrestling for Goldrush under Coach Chase Pami, Max Rohskopf, Ed Sorgani and Jake Rollans. They have helped me improve my technique, endurance, and character. They have shown me to be humble and give back to my team by letting me help coach the younger and newer kids on the team. They have pushed me to my limit and will continue to help me achieve my goals. Coach Chase reminds me to never forget where I come from, and to always be grateful for the opportunities I have. He inspires me to be the best that I can be and to never sell myself short, and No matter what happens in my career, to always give back to my community and do not take anything for granted. Always Dig for Gold! |
| |
|
As a Freshman at SLAM, my high school career has just begun. I have several outstanding coaches, Zach Hocker, Michael Abrams, and Jake Rollans. This year I have a record of 46-4 with 35 pins. I am a La Costa Canyon and Five Counties Champion. I also received 4th place at Doc B. My career is nowhere close to finished. I plan to continue to improve to become a Champion at Super32 and become a Fargo All-American. My long-term goal is to wrestle at the Collegiate Division 1 level and become the first Nevada NCAA Champion. |
| |
| I would like to especially thank Coach Chase Pami, Jake Rollans, Joe Cannon, Bill Sullivan, Ed Sorgani, Max Rohskopf, Richard Razo Jr., Zach Hocker, Michael Abrams, and Jesse Farrer for always sticking by my side and making me the wrestler I am today. I would like to also thank all of my training partners for being good partners and pushing me to my limits. Also Gold Rush Wrestling for supporting me in my wrestling career. Last, but most certainly not least, my parents and siblings for being my biggest supporters and being there for me whenever I need them. |
| |
