By By KEVIN TRAVIS
Sports Editor
A proud mother is trying to turn tragedy into triumph.
Beth Saleeby, the mother of Eli Saleeby Lee, a former Washington Pam Pack wrestler who was tragically killed in a car accident five years ago, had a simple goal of honoring her son while attempting to get a new mat for the wrestlers. Her efforts have helped the Pam Pack wrestling program immensely.
Lee will be remembered once again during Saturday’s Fifth annual Eli Saleeby Lee Memorial Wrestling Tournament.
“The fifth anniversary of the Memorial Tournament has such a pinnacle of meaning for myself and my family,” Saleeby said. “The simple fact that sometimes is overstated is really very true, and that is something truly magnificent can come out of something so devastating. It is easy to become engulfed in something as tragic as the loss of a loved one. I know I live and sometimes almost become paralyzed by it.
“However, the best therapy our family has had is to try and ensure that this wrestling team received what it needed to get on its feet and to grow a strong program for the students, the school and the county.”
Saleeby believes her son would be proud.
“This is exactly what Eli would have wanted,” Saleeby said. “He would not have wanted pity, gloom or bitterness to have come out of anything that he did.
“He was a gracious kid and he loved the friend (Noah Pike) that he lost with him, and he loved his family and he definitely loved wrestling.”
The tournament will begin at 9 a.m. Saturday at Washington High School. Tickets are $6 at the door.
The Pack will be joined by Jacksonville, Triton, Cardinal Gibbons, Nash Central, Currituck, West Craven, Hertford County and Ayden Grifton.
“The tournament preserves the memory of Eli Saleeby Lee,” Washington coach Danny Riggs said. “Lee’s mother, Beth Saleeby, had a goal of getting a new wrestling mat for the team four years ago, and proceeds from the wrestling tournament were used to purchase a new mat. This is a major fundraiser for a sports program that operates with a very small budget.
“It means a lot to be able to wrestle in front of a home crowd. Also, it is helping raise money so the wrestling team can have a successful season.”
Riggs is hoping his team benefits from squaring off against quality competition.
“My many goal is for our guys to have fun and wrestle their best,” Riggs said. “We are scheduled to wrestle several tough teams, and we know it will be tough to get a ‘W,’ but I keep reminding the guys that in order to become the best, we need to wrestle the best. We will see that this Saturday.”
Saleeby is honored that the program continues to remember her son.
“My gosh, it is a huge compliment to remember Eli with the community support that has been given to this program,” Saleeby said. “The athletic club has been so supportive along with the athletic director and our coaches. Eli would not have cared whether his name was attached to this tournament.
“His coach at that time, Rick Garret, and his peer teammates made that decision and through Daniel Riggs and others they have honored that team’s wishes. When our family was told that Eli’s wrestling buddies wanted to do this, we cried and then we laughed. We knew that was just like Eli to take something negative and put a positive side to it. He was always that way.”
Saleeby is appreciative about all those who have helped remember her son, and put this tournament together.
“Through it all, the tragedy and the triumph, none of this would be possible without the commitment of many dedicated individuals,” she said. “This truly is not just about Eli anymore, but has become the vehicle for the hard work of others and, most importantly, the talent and dedication of each of those young men and women to being the best they can be when they walk out there on that mat and represent all of us in the community.
“That is the beauty of it all. I am dedicated to making sure that in my small way this continues for those athletes. That is what Eli would want.”