Nehemiah Salcido heading to State wrestling championships

While the Shafter High girls wrestling team has had unprecedented success this year, their feeder program has also shined this season. The Shafter Youth Wrestling team, the Shafter Spartans, has a young wrestler that is on his way to the State Tournament at Selland Arena in Fresno this weekend.

Nehamiah Salcido, who is in just his third year of competitive wrestling, will be competing in the 2nd/3rd division in the 77 lbs. weight class. Salcido has already captured a Valley title and a Masters title on his way to the State tourney. Coached by SHS girls Coach Eli Espericueta, he has climbed the ladder to this success with determination and hard work.

Salcido is in his third year of wrestling after joining a local wrestling camp – Solid Stone at the Mennonite Brethren Church run by Pastor Pat Coyle and Coach Espericueta. He found a passion throughout his first season and ended up making it to Selland Arena, placing 5th at the State Championship in his weight bracket.

In his second year of wrestling, he placed top three in multiple tournaments and made it to Reno Worlds Championship, with over 2,500 wrestlers from all over the country making it to the quarterfinals. This year he goes into the 2/3rd grade 77 lb. weight class, having placed 1st in the Valley Championship at Wasco and 1st at Masters in Tulare. Nehemiah's parents, Rocky and Amber Salcido, are excited to cheer him on again this weekend.

He is number 3 out of 4 in the Salcido household. He carries on the tradition of Valley Champion and State qualifier, since his older brother is also a Valley champ and State runner up with the 2022/2023 Shafter High football team. "We are always impressed by his true grit and determination to face adversity, no matter what it takes on the mat. Nehemiah's favorite scripture is worn on one of his singlets: Philippians 4:13 – [BEGIN ITAL] 'I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me,[END ITAL]' " said mom Amber Salcido.