By Matt Browning

Matt Rodriguez from Southeast of Saline was voted as the Salina Area Preseason Wrestler of the Year. Rodriguez received just over 10,000 votes, which was 28 percent of the overall vote. Rodriguez’s teammate Sterling Harp finished a close second with 25 percent of the overall vote.

“I appreciate that people associate me with Sterling Harp and the other wrestlers on the list,” Rodriguez said. “They are all very deserving.”

Last season, Rodriguez made it to the 3-1A finals, where he fell to Luke Horn of Riverside 2-1. Getting back to the championship match is just one of the things Rodriguez hopes to accomplish this season.

“Most importantly, I want everyone to stay healthy enough to have a complete wrestling season,” Rodriguez said. “When I look at me personally, I want to be a leader for the underclassmen and get them to believe that they play an important part of our team. I would like to win the league, regionals, and work my way back to the state finals.”

Rodriguez is also a highly decorated football player for the Trojans and at this time he is uncertain if he wants to wrestle or play football in college.