Coach Bob Buzzard
On Wednesday, December 6th, 2023, North Salem hosted Harrisburg High School for our annual Hall of Fame Dual. We were excited to induct a living legend and a great man named Bob Buzzard into our North Salem wrestling Hall of Fame! Coach Buzzard had great success at North Salem in the 1970's and 80's. Bob had tremendous athletic success before his coaching days and is credited with bringing Iowa-style wrestling to the Pacific Northwest. Before he got to college, he wrestled at East Waterloo in high school, were he accumulated a record of 50 wins with only 4 losses on his way to winning two individual state titles. While in college as an Iowa State Cyclone, he was a two-time Big 8 Champion, a Midlands champion and a two-time All-American at the NCAA championships. After college, Buzzard became a National Freestyle Champion (1967). Among many other accomplishments after college, Buzzard was an Olympic team member in 1972.
Bob also enjoyed the outdoors, so made his way to Oregon. After coming to the Pacific Northwest, he coached at North Salem and Cascade High Schools. He was named Oregon Coach of the year (1978) while at North Salem. He also coached multiple state champions and had teams place in the top 10 at the state tournament 9 different times.
Bob also enjoyed the outdoors, so made his way to Oregon. After coming to the Pacific Northwest, he coached at North Salem and Cascade High Schools. He was named Oregon Coach of the year (1978) while at North Salem. He also coached multiple state champions and had teams place in the top 10 at the state tournament 9 different times.
Coach John Horn
On Thursday, February 2nd, 2023 North Salem hosted West Albany in our annual Hall of Fame dual. The high school dual pitted North Salem against West Albany High School. We had a chance to honor legendary North Salem Coach John Horn. John Horn was a head coach for over 30 years and coached at North Salem from 1984-1998 where he has positively affected thousands of lives. He loves wrestling and loved his home at North Salem High School. His love for wrestling is demonstrated by the fact that he has attended over 50 consecutive state tournaments. He is already a member of the Oregon Wrestling Hall of Fame and was wonderful edition to the North Salem Wrestling Hall of Fame. Thank you for your countless years of service to the wrestling community!
Babak Mohammadi
One of Coach Horn's toughest wrestlers was named Babak Mohammadi. Babak came as an immigrant from Iran and exploded onto the Salem wrestling scene. Babak was a two-time state champion while at North Salem. He went undefeated during his last two seasons with an impressive record of 76 wins and zero losses. He graduated in 1990 and became a four-time All-American at Oregon State University, which included two conference titles at 134 pounds and 2nd place finishes at the NCAA national tournament for both his junior and senior year (1993 and 1994). He was a warrior on the mat with an unparalleled work ethic and was memorable for all those whom he encountered.
Babak was also inducted into the North Salem Wrestling Hall of Fame on Thursday, February 2nd, 2023.
Babak was also inducted into the North Salem Wrestling Hall of Fame on Thursday, February 2nd, 2023.
Mike Romero
Mike Romero was the first wrestler inducted into the North Salem High School Wrestling Hall of Fame. This initial induction involved an athlete of firsts. Mike Romero was the first freshman to win a district wrestling championship from a Salem-Keizer School and he was also North Salem’s first state champion in ten years. His athletic honors were numerous including: AAA State Championship, three district wrestling titles, two gymnastics district titles, an Oregon Cultural Exchange team membership, and two Collegiate All-American wrestling honors. These accomplishments cement Mike Romero as one of North Salem’s High Schools best athletes of all time. Mike was a graduate in 1979 under legendary coach Bob Buzzard. Coach Buzzard was on hand to present Mike Romero and family with a plaque recognizing his outstanding achievements. Thank you Mike Romero!