Episode 31 - Manny Saldate

Manny “The Comeback” Saldate, an Oregon State Beavers wrestling standout, finally joins the podcast. Manny gives us the rundown on what it’s like to be one of the best—if not the best—to ever come out of Nevada. He dives into a journey built on relentless work ethic and fully embracing the grind that wrestling demands.

Manny takes us back to where it all started. He began with the infamous Team GV wrestling club at just 4 years old. Even as a little kid, Manny was putting in extra work on the side during practice. That dedication caught attention early—until one day, a coach told his parents it was time to get him a pair of wrestling shoes. That moment marked the beginning of something special, making Manny the youngest member in GV history.

After his time at GV, Manny transitioned to SLAM Wrestling Club for a short stint before his family found their home at Pistol Petes Wrestling Club—which would soon evolve into Gold Rush Wrestling Club under Chase Pami. Under Pami’s guidance, Manny continued leveling up, chasing bigger goals and capitalizing on every opportunity in front of him. Gold Rush became the perfect environment for his growth, and Manny took full advantage.

During his high school career alongside his time with Gold Rush, Manny stacked an elite resume. Just a few highlights include: Fargo Champion, U20 U.S. Open Champion, Doc B finalist, multi-time Fargo All-American, and a consistent top-10 national ranking. And that’s only scratching the surface.

While the list goes on, these accomplishments alone make a powerful case—Manny Saldate is arguably the greatest high school wrestler Nevada has ever produced.