Nicolet National Bank Senior Spotlight

Parents’ names: Josh and Jenny Salentine
Siblings: Megan and Molly Salentine
Position or events: CENTER/DE for football, 215 weight class for wrestling, Catcher for baseball
Instagram: @caleb.salentine712
Career Highlight: If I had to chose between two highlights it would have to be winning team state my sophomore year. The UW-Madison field house is like no other and was awesome to experience twice. But a very close runner up would be my junior year football season where we made it to state for the first time in school history.

At what age did you start playing your main sport?
First grade.

Who introduced you to the sport?
My neighbor Mike Vaness, he was my youth coach.

Has this always been your favorite sport?

I would say my favorite sport depends on the season. I enjoy them all pretty equally.

How has the balance between academics and athletics changed for you from freshman to senior year?
As a freshman I really did not have much stuff figured out, but as time went on I learned more and more that academics are always first. So I would make homework and studying my first priority when I got home from practice or when I had free time in school. During senior year I pretty much have my daily schedule down to incorporate everything I enjoy doing as well as getting all my work done.

What is your favorite part about this sport? What about it has caused you to stick with it for this long?
My favorite part about wrestling is the combo of the team sport and individual. You get the best of both worlds. There’s no one you can blame except yourself and that’s really good motivation to get better.

Is there a professional athlete you look up to? If so, why?
I would say Jason Kelce or JJ Watt, both athletes were very good people on and off the field.

What would you say is your biggest asset on the court/field/pool?
I like to keep things light and cheery. I enjoy bringing others up around me when they might not be having the best day or in a bad mood.

What has been your most memorable experience in high school sports so far?

Beating Catholic Memorial to go to state. It was such a unique experience that I would not trade anything for.

How does it feel as a senior, to look back throughout high school and see your growth (as a person and athlete)?
It’s kind of cool to see where I started and where I am now. All of the experiences I’ve gathered and people I’ve met. On the athletics side I could not thank each of my coaches enough for the support and knowledge they have each given me.

Do you have any pre-match rituals/routines/superstitions?
I have the same stretching routine for each match and game and that helps me get focused.

Do you take any extra steps to prepare for a big match/game/meet, outside of regular practices?
I really just try to hydrate myself, I don’t really listen to music or anything like that I just try to be in the moment.

Any memorable coaches or teammates you’d like to shout out?
Coach Seering, Coach Treml, and Coach Routhieaux have all had significantly impacted me as an athlete and a person to be my best at all times. I would also like to shout out my assistant coaches in the wrestling room that really help me narrow down my style and push me to be the best I can.

Any hobbies outside of sports?

I enjoy showing dairy and swine at the county and state fair as well as some outside shows. I also enjoy being apart of the dairy judging team and apart of my 4-H club.

Favorite song?
Thoughts of you by Ole 60.

Sports drinks like Gatorade and Powerade or water?
I enjoy all these beverages but you can’t beat a nice glass of water on a hot day.

Future Plans? (college, major, career, etc.)
I will be attending UW River Falls for a major in Dairy Science and an emphasis on genetics and dairy nutrition.