A Special Bond: Tristan Lujan and Chase Saldate
3/5/2024 4:08:00 PM | Wrestling
EAST LANSING, Mich. – Michigan State star wrestlers Tristan Lujan and Chase Saldate grew up an hour and a half from each other in central California and have been friends since they started wrestling. For the last four years, they both have been living out their passion as two of the Spartans' premiere wrestlers.
Lujan and Saldate both come from wrestling backgrounds, as their fathers wrestled when they were in high school. Growing up in the wrestling community together, their fathers became close friends, which is how the boys met. Lujan also had two uncles wrestle in high school, one of whom went on to compete at Fresno State.
"I was the one to carry on the tradition," Lujan, a redshirt junior from Selma, California said.
Several times a month, Saldate and Lujan would travel roughly two hours to train with one another throughout high school. This only strengthened their bond.
"We went through everything together," Lujan said. "We kind of have a sense for each other of what we go through and how hard it is."
MSU Wrestling Head Coach Roger Chandler, met Saldate as a middle schooler and started recruiting him in high school. This connection played a big role in his commitment to Michigan State, in addition to his desire for a fresh start.
"I wanted to switch it up, I wanted to get out of the state, I wanted to get away from my parents and do my own thing," Saldate said.
Saldate, who wrestles at 157 pounds, said becoming a Spartan himself was not enough. The senior from Gilroy, California was determined to be wrestling alongside his long-time friend at MSU.
"I really wanted somebody to come with me and I figured we would be a great duo," Saldate said.
Lujan wrestles at 125 pounds and was originally committed to Fresno State. Despite this, he was asked frequently by Saldate to visit Michigan State. Saldate successfully persuaded Lujan, and after his visit, he fell in love with MSU.
"It's one of the best choices I've ever made," Lujan said. "I'm glad I get to go to school with my best friend."
Chris Williams, MSU's associate head coach, takes a lot of pride in having been a part of recruiting Saldate and Lujan all the way from California. Williams highlighted what makes each of them a good teammate and wrestler.
He described Lujan as driven, gritty, and someone who does anything asked of him. Williams said Saldate brings tremendous chemistry to the team with his positivity, high energy, and humor.
Since arriving at MSU, the wrestlers have been roommates. Saldate appreciates having a teammate like Lujan and certainly doesn't take it for granted. Lujan has really enjoyed seeing the growth of his best friend during his time at Michigan State.
"It's a great experience seeing Chase grow into the man he has become," Lujan said. "He has become a great person right in front of my eyes."
Saldate always thought in order to be considered a good wrestler he would need to be an All-American in college. However, he has come to accept and be proud of his college career even if it ends without reaching All-American status. Lujan has surpassed everything he thought he would as a little kid.
"If it were to end today, I know I gave it my all and I'd be happy with my career," Lujan said.
One of the main topics of conversation between Lujan and Saldate is their plans after Michigan State. The two are nothing short of ambitious and determined.
Lujan, a political science - prelaw major, has aspirations to be a sports manager or a sports agent. Saldate, who is majoring in advertising management, is interested in working with the UFC. Sports commentary, sports management, and advertising are the areas of work that he wants to pursue.
"We are very driven when it comes to being successful. We know for a fact it will happen," Saldate said. "I think that comes from wrestling."
Saldate has also been successful in the world of social media. In high school, he started creating social media content of him wrestling some of the then-best mixed martial arts fighters. He has continued to make MMA commentary videos on Instagram and TikTok (@chasesaldate), where he has racked up over half a million followers across the two platforms.
"When I got to college I wanted to separate myself from Chase Saldate the wrestler and I wanted to create my own brand of Chase Saldate the MMA commentator," he said.
Lujan and Saldate have different personalities, but they share the same love for the sport. Williams has seen them live out their passion firsthand.
"What's unique about them is they are not a lot alike," Williams said. "But the common thing that they have is wrestling."
By Elijah Kaye
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