Tony Salopek has no trouble recollecting the last time a West Mifflin wrestler participated in the USA Wrestling national championships.

"Bob Bernd qualified in 1990 and I qualified the year before," said Salopek, who is now coaching at his alma mater. "I'm pretty sure Bob placed that year. But it's the last time we had a wrestler qualify for nationals."

That is, until this summer.

West Mifflin will be represented by two individuals, James Fleming and Sam Sherlock, at the Cadet national championships that will begin Monday and continue through July 31 at the Fargodome on the campus of North Dakota State University.

"I think both have an excellent chance of becoming All-Americans [by placing among the top eight in their weight class]," said Salopek. "It's certainly a boost to our program to have two such talented kids wrestling at the national level."

Fleming made his varsity debut as a 135-pound freshman and turned in a memorable performance by winning Section 5-AAA and WPIAL titles, then placing sixth in the PIAA, en route to a 17-6 record.

"I don't feel any added pressure," said Fleming, who now has a chance to become the 14th wrestler in WPIAL history to win four titles.

"I haven't really been thinking about it. I just hope I can do it, because I believe I can do it."

Sherlock will make his varsity debut in December.

"I'm really looking forward to my freshman season," said Sherlock.

"I plan to wrestle at 119 and feel I can do very well."

Though neither has been to Fargo before, both have wrestled in the National High School Coaches Association Folkstyle championships. And both have captured national titles at the Schoolboy Division.

"I won national titles in 2003 at 98 pounds, 2004 at 112 pounds, and 2005 at 120 pounds," said Fleming. "I also won a national title at the Tulsa world championships in 2005."

Sherlock shared the spotlight with Fleming twice.

"I won national titles in 2003 at 75 pounds and 2004 at 85 pounds," said Sherlock.

"I also placed third at 103 in 2005."

Both are expecting to do well at the Cadet Nationals.

"My goal is to win both styles," said Fleming. "The experience I have gained in past national tournaments should be an advantage for me. The competition will be stronger, but I've been working very hard to prepare."

Sherlock, with his father playing chauffeur, has been logging quite a few miles in preparation for the national tournaments.

"I have been working out at Rob Waller's wrestling club almost every day," said Sherlock. "It's an hour drive for us, but it's worth it to get that extra training."

The trip to Fargo will mark the second time Sherlock and Fleming will be out of state for a tournament this year. The two also wrestled for the Pennsylvania Amateur Wrestling Federation at the Cadet National Duals in Kansas City June 22-26.

Fleming was a member of Pennsylvania's No. 1 all-star team, while Sherlock competed for Pennsylvania's No. 2 team.

Fleming posted an 18-2 record (8-1 in Greco-Roman and 10-1 in freestyle) to help Team No. 1 claim titles in both styles.

"It was a good tuneup for Fargo," said Fleming. "I haven't really followed the national picture, but I guess most of the guys I faced in Kansas City will also be at Fargo."

Sherlock posted a 4-4 record at Kansas City while competing on Team No. 2.

"The trip to Kansas City gave me a taste of what I will be facing in Fargo," said Sherlock.

"One of my losses in freestyle was a narrow decision to Missouri's Nick Lester, who placed third at Cadets last year."