These are all pictures from the 2016-2017 wrestling season.
Sophomore Ian Carlos looks over to his coaches corner for adjustments during the 2017 state tournament. Carlos finished out the season with a perfect record of 37-0, bringing home a regional title and a state title. He also made the trip to Virginia Beach to compete in NHSCA Collegiate Nationals and placed 6th overall in the 145-pound sophomore division.
Sophomore Clint Pfeifer really opened up this year. He showed massive growth and development as he wrestled in the 138 pound weight class throughout the season, before dropping down to the 132-pound class for the regional tournament.
His hard work was rewarded with a 6th place finish at the regional tournament! Everyone is excited to see Pfeifer continue to develop as he looks to wreak havoc on opponents next year! Way to go Clint!
His hard work was rewarded with a 6th place finish at the regional tournament! Everyone is excited to see Pfeifer continue to develop as he looks to wreak havoc on opponents next year! Way to go Clint!
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Freshman Antonio Garcia burst onto the scene in 2016-2017. Although he started out a stalling machine, he has developed into one of the most promising young wrestlers in the Greater Valley Conference. Wrestling all year in the 182 pound weight class, he was a rare freshman in the big man weight class. He has worked hard to turn himself into a shooter and looks to bulk up to the 195 pound weight class as a sophomore in the upcoming 2017-2018 season.
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Sophomore Jacob Mertes pins a West Salem heavyweight during a three-way dual at McKay. Already an established football player, Jacob decided to diversify his training and come out for the wrestling team. At the beginning of the season, a strong wind may have blown him over. By February, Jacob had improved immensely and ended up one match away from placing at the GVC Regional tournament. Mertes is a great teammate/friend and looks forward to representing the Vikings next year as a star football player AND stud wrestler.
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Another member of the stellar sophomore class, Isaak Vipperman buries a West Salem Titan's face into the mat. Vipperman represented the Vikings as a JV captain this year and looks to become a varsity league contender next year. Isaak is a tremendous athlete and outside of wrestling, also participates in football during the fall and rugby in the spring time.
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Senior Shannon Glover was a Viking wrestler for his last two seasons in high school. He is shown in this picture against a Japanese wrestler during the cultural exchange trip summer of 2016. Glover earned the privilege of being on the cultural exchange trip and representing Team Oregon as a junior. After high school, Glover joined the Air Force and is excited to represent his country and defend his home. He has always been a great friend and proudly protects his family and loved ones. The presence of Glover will be missed in the North Salem wrestling room.
Obbelis Garcia was another member of the studly sophomore class for the Vikings in 2016-2017. Focusing on technique throughout the season, Obbi developed into a heavyweight who knows how to impose his weight onto opponents. Looking to build strength in the off season, we expect Obbi to be back and tougher than ever as a junior.
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Junior Denis Yanis competes under the gym light at West Albany High School. As one of the quickest, strongest, most flexible and meanest kids under 115 pounds, Denis loved inflicting pain on opponents. Much like his older brother (Urmas Yanis), Denis loves wrestling because it allows him to thump on other kids. Yanis almost always stays within the rules while beating on kids, but always provides an entertaining match for the fans. We are looking forward to Denis returning as one of the top seniors in all weight classes under 115 pounds.
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Sophomore Desire Rukundo moved to Salem from New Hampshire and began his wrestling career as a Viking. Through use of tough drill partners, Desire became a competitive JV wrestler in a hurry. His intelligence and speed will certainly make him a threat to any Viking opponents in the future. There is so much potential in Rukundo, that there is literally no cap on where he may go with wrestling.
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