Calexico wrestler Salais chooses Menlo College

CALEXICO – The next stage of Karen Salais’ quest for global domination will begin about 580 miles northwest of here in Atherton, Calif.

That city near San Francisco is home to Menlo College, the private college where Salais committed her academic and athletic future Tuesday afternoon during a signing ceremony held at Calexico High School’s Varner Gym.

Salais, despite making up half of Calexico’s girls wrestling team, has achieved heights in her chosen sports usually reserved for wrestlers attending schools farther north in the county. The senior, who wrestles at 106 pounds, finished third this year in the CIF-State wrestling tournament.

In choosing Menlo, Salais not only has an opportunity to remain in relatively close proximity to her family, but also, she hopes, to pursue her bigger dreams of a college national championship and eventual Olympic glory.

Certainly, it’s not a bad bet. Menlo finished third on March 12 in the NAIA National Championships and consistently has one of the stronger women’s wrestling programs in the country. It also has one of the relative few women’s wrestling programs in the country, a fact that is somewhat ironic considering the college was founded in 1927 as the Menlo School for Boys.

Salais’ own path hasn’t necessarily been conventional either. She was a cross-country runner until around seventh grade. That’s when she decided, almost inexplicably, to give wrestling a go.

“Wrestling sounded more fun,” she said. “I wanted to push myself to my limits.”

She certainly pushed somebody. She won her very first tournament, which was held in the county’s de facto wrestling capital, Brawley. She recalled she was wrestling around 95 pounds then and had to beat three or four boys to take the title.

Karen’s father, Francisco Salais, said he didn’t know a thing about wrestling when his daughter decided to take up the sport, but he made it a point to learn and join her on the journey.

“I supported her from day one,” he said.

Karen Salais thanked her father and everyone else in attendance at Tuesday’s signing ceremony, including coaches Nathaniel and Robert Tavarez, for their efforts to help her reach the next level.

“I needed all of you guys in my life as a wrestler,” she said.

PHOTO TOM BODUS Calexico wrestler Karen Salais signs her letter of intent to attend Menlo College as her coach Nathaniel Tavarez (far left) and father Francisco Salais look on. The signing ceremony was held Tuesday afternoon in Calexico High School’s Varner Gym.