Antonio Saldate

Antonio Saldate, a Nevada native, chose a different path. Rather than joining a powerhouse program like Green Valley, Antonio attended Las Vegas High School—where he helped write his own legacy. During his time there, he reached four State Finals and captured three State Championships. While those accomplishments speak for themselves, Antonio is most proud of helping his coach turn the program around and build a truly competitive team. After high school, Antonio continued his wrestling journey at the Division I level. Today, he’s transitioned from competing on the mat to standing in the corner for athletes chasing their own dreams. Highly respected as a wrestler, Antonio now brings that same drive and work ethic into coaching. He is the head coach of Gold Rush Reno, where his goal is to shift the mentality in the north and build a competitive counterpart to the South—instilling the same discipline and grit that defined his own career. Antonio has also paved the way for his family in wrestling. He shares stories about his competitive relationship with his brother, as well as his excitement and pride for his sister and younger brother as they continue to grow in the sport. Family is everything to Antonio, and throughout the podcast, we get a deeper look at how central that bond is to who he is—both on and off the mat.