Morning Journal/Chris Rambo Sarchione Auto Group recently donated the entire cost of a new mat for the Salem wrestling team. Pictured on the mat (from left) are Salem wrestler Lane Lafleme, Salem wrestling coach Drew Hart, Kaci Sarchione, Joan Davidson-Clark, Salem Superintendent Sean Kirkland and Salem wrestler Jacob Frost.

By MIKE BROWN

Correspondent

SALEM–The best for the best.

As the highly-improved Salem High School varsity wrestling team, which is 14-7 on the season, prepares for the postseason, the Quakers have been fine-tuning their skills on a beautiful new wrestling mat, customized in Salem colors, courtesy of the Sarchione Auto Group, which donated for the entire cost of the new mat.

Kaci Sarchione, a Salem graduate and the wife of Sarchione Auto Group owner, John Sarchione, explained how purchasing a new wrestling mat came about for the school.

“My family is the Davidson family that lives in Salem, and my uncle, Brian, who was blind, graduated from Salem and wrestled for Salem, so personally it’s because my uncle went there and he wrestled and my brother wrestled, so I kind of grew up around it,” explained Sarchione. “And I knew Salem was in need of a mat and I graduated from there.”

The late Brian Davidson was a blind wrestler from Salem who enjoyed a tremendous mat career for the Quakers, which included qualifying for the state tournament. His story of determination and courage touched the hearts of all who following wrestling in the Buckeye State. The Brian Davidson Courage Award is presented annually by the Eastern Ohio Wrestling League in his memory.

The Sarchione Auto Group is one of the leaders in donating to area high school sports projects.

“All the people from Salem are in our back yard, and John and I just wanted to give back to the community and all the families that buy from us,” added Kaci Sarchione.

Salem athletic director Matt Freeman said the Sarchione Auto Group was very receptive when discussion of a new mat came up.

“We want to extend our appreciation to the Sarchione Auto Group, the people at Sarchiones have been great to work with,” praised Freeman. “We have two Sarchione banners up in the gym on the railing and they will be permanent fixtures.”

Freeman said it didn’t take long to put everything into motion once the Sarchione Auto Group was informed that the school was in need of a new mat.

“We put in the order for the mat right after Christmas and we were able to use it for our final two dual meets this year,” added Freeman. “It’s a really a nice mat and it has the lightweight foam in it and has a smooth look. There’s no velcro in it like other mats.”

The Salem wrestling team is coached by Drew Hart. Seniors on the team include Logan Stecker, Christian Barth, Jesus Juan, Jacob Frost and Zarek Ross.

The Quakers are one of 12 teams that will be participating in the Division II sectional wrestling tournament Saturday in the West Branch Fieldhouse. The other teams entered include Alliance, Canfield, Field, Girard, Howland, Hubbard, Marlington, Poland, Ravenna, Streetsboro and host West Branch.

“The varsity went 14-7 this year and our junior high team finished second to Carrollton in the EBC Tournament, so we’re really excited about the future for our wrestling program,” said Freeman.

And those Salem teams will be practicing on a beautiful new high-tech wrestling mat, courtesy of the Sarchione Auto Group.

The Sarchione Auto Group includes Sarchione Ford Lincoln in Alliance, Sarchione Ford in Waynesburg, Sarchione Chevrolet in Randolph and Sarchione Ford in Randolph.