Salem High School’s Tommy Veresh is “saving” his best for last – and his best so far has been pretty good.

The senior goalie, who has helped lead the Rocks to an impressive run the last few years, is one of the reasons the team entered the 2023 season with high hopes despite a new roster of players.

“This year’s team has a lot of depth, and we have a lot of younger guys who are hungry for success and working for playing time after losing 14 seniors,” Veresh said. “While our seniors right now who have waited for their opportunity are finally getting to prove themselves. Our bond as a program I think is as good as anyone, and our goal is to win our fifth straight district title and go far in the state tournament.”

The Rocks had a rock-solid season last year, earning division, conference, district and regional titles. They lost 2-0 to eventual state-champion Rochester Adams in the Division 1 State Semifinals.

Veresh finished All-Conference Honorable Mention, All-District, All-Region and All-State Honorable Mention.

“I was proud of the way we handled our success,” he said. “We continued to play at a high level no matter the game, no matter the circumstance.”

Salem has played at a high level ever since Kyle Karns took over as head coach. Since he became coach in 2015, the Rocks have won five district titles, two regional titles and gone to two final fours.

“Over the years we had some absolutely phenomenal players and Kyle, our coach, has done an absolutely amazing job flipping the program around and changing the culture in his eight years,” Veresh said.

The coach talks highly of his talented keeper.

“For the past three years, Tommy has done a tremendous job of keeping opposing teams off the score sheet,” Karns said. “As a senior captain, Tommy is a true leader both on the field and off. He is our vocal leader on the field, and his athletic ability allows him to make saves that others would struggle to make.”

Tommy, 17, is the son of Steve and Patricia Veresh, and has a 3.9 GPA in the classroom. He also plays basketball and golf for the Rocks.

Sports has always been a family game for Tommy.

“I’d like to thank my parents for supporting me in my athletic and academic career,” he said. “They have always been there no matter the sport and have dedicated countless amounts of time for my interests. Even though they may be hard on me, it makes me a better person. Also, my brother is always pushing me, and we have helped make each other better athletes, students and people.”

Veresh hopes to take his soccer game to the next level and is going through the process of figuring out where he will end up.

“I am looking to further my soccer playing career in college and I am looking to go to a smaller school somewhere in the Midwest,” he said. “I am undecided in what I’m going to do but I am leaning toward something in the computer science field.”

Any advice for young soccer players?

“It doesn’t matter where you start,” he said. “The most important thing is hard work, and don’t let people tell you to stop. Keep working and striving for success and to be the best.”

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