It’s been a decade since the Washington wrestling program lost one of its own. The tragic death of 15-year-old Pam Pack wrestler Eli Saleeby Lee shocked a community, but from the heartbreak, the Eli Saleeby Lee Memorial Wrestling Tournament was born.

The dual-team tournament was created by Eli’s mother, Beth Saleeby, to honor her son, who was killed in a car crash in 2005, and help raise money for a new wrestling mat. Ten years later, there are no holes or duct-taped tears and the Pam Pack wrestles on nearly brand new mats, purchased from the funds raised at previous tournaments.

“Getting to talk to Mrs. Saleeby the other day and getting a little background of the story behind Eli and how this was started, it’s pretty nice to know how it’s like a family community with the sport,” said head coach Chris Penhollow. “It’s pretty important and meaningful to the men that come through. Even though her son was taken at a young age, her and her family were very much involved in the sport — loved the sport.”

The 2015 edition of the tournament kicks off tomorrow at 10 a.m. and will feature teams from Edenton Holmes, Northeastern, North Lenoir, Beddingfield and Greene Central. Appropriately, the Washington wrestling team enters with an overall record of 15-1, it’s best start in over a decade. Under Penhollow, who is in his first year with the program, the Pam Pack has exceeded preseason expectations, carried by consistent wrestling from the lightweights and the dependability of the returning 2-A state qualifiers.

“They’re way above and beyond what I thought initially,” Penhollow said. We’ve got some new kids who showed up out of the blue who have fit it. Everybody is having fun, working hard at practice … The kids are excited and everybody is showing up. When you’re winning, it’s a lot more fun, kids show up and are more eager to roll around and learn. Right now, things couldn’t be better.”

In the 106-pound weight class, sophomore Jacob Smith and freshman Marcus Sneed have combined for a 42-8 record this season, while sophomore Simeon Pope has gone 21-5 in the 120-pound weight class, thus far. Guys like sophomore D.K. Credle (138), freshman Austin Koonce (138) and senior Kyle Krajewski (285) have also contributed with impressive winning records.

It’s a productive start that has even surprised Penhollow, especially considering the loss off the team’s top-three wrestlers to graduation.

For the first time in years, the Pam Pack enters as one of the favorites to win the tournament, along with conference foe North Pitt. Last season, under head coach Dan Riggs, Washington finished in second place out of 10 teams participating. Despite a handful in injuries in key places, Penhollow likes his team’s chances tomorrow, especially considering the flexibility a deep roster provides, a luxury many wrestling teams in the area do not have.

“When you can shift and move, it’s kind of like a 14-move chess match. We look at the other team’s lineup and think of what they’re going to do, then we try to outthink them,” Penhollow said.

“If we show up and wrestle the way we’re capable of, we definitely have a good shot to win. Now, that’s not saying someone can’t show up, be more fired up and more ready to go than us — catch us early sleepwalking. If we show up ready to roll, we should be fine and have a trophy at the end of the day.”

Admission is $8 at the door and covers the whole day. The tournament is projected to wrap up around 4 p.m. and will take place in the David W. Smith Gymnasium.