On a snowy night in Denver, Montezuma-Cortez High School senior Seager Oliver fought through a shoulder injury and captured his second state title in as many years. In doing so, Oliver became the fourth two-time state titlist in M-CHS history.
“I’m ecstatic,” said Oliver, shortly after defeating Eagle Valley High School’s Devin Ward 4-0 in the Class 3A 182-pound championship. “I can’t even explain it. It’s so awesome. If I knew how to cry, I would.”
Oliver’s championship victory came roughly 24 hours after he dislocated his left shoulder in the second period of an eventual pin victory. Although Oliver showed no ill effects from the injury in the championship, the senior wore a black shoulder brace under his singlet throughout the match.
“My shoulder was definitely stiff and it’s definitely going to be sore,” Oliver said. The brace was more of a mind thing. My sloppy shot was what caused my injury last night and I only had one bad shot tonight.”
Oliver scored two points with just over one minute left in the first period after stuffing a shot attempt by Ward and swinging around to his left to take Ward’s back. Oliver used a similar move with 21 seconds left in the second period to move ahead 4-0.
The M-CHS senior then held Ward down throughout the third period to secure his victory. With roughly 30 seconds to go in the match, Ward glanced at the clock and appeared dejected as he watched time tick away.
At the conclusion of the match, Oliver rose to his feet and raised his arms in the air before turning his eyes towards his parents and then his coaches. Shortly after the match, Oliver acknowledged those who have been involved with his wrestling career.
“I just can’t thank my coaches enough for the countless hours in the room,” said Oliver. “I can’t thank my parents for taking me around the country over the summer. They are the best ever.”
Oliver finished his final high school season with a 38-3 record and acknowledged that he will never forget his time wearing a Panthers uniform.
“I’ll remember being with my family and when I say my family, I mean the wrestling team,” Oliver said. “We have so much fun. State championships are great, but friendships last forever.”
M-CHS head coach Shad Bellmire shared similar sentiments, saying that he would always remember coaching one of the top wrestlers in M-CHS history.
“Seager had so much determination and no quit,” said Bellmire. “It showed in the semifinals match when his shoulder popped out. “I have to give it to him, he laid it all out on the line.”
After enjoying his state championship victory, Oliver said that he plans to return to Cortez and finish out his senior year of high school. As for his wrestling future, the senior was noncommittal.
“I almost kind of want to take a break for a while,” Oliver said. “I’ve been wrestling since I was five.”
Without a doubt, a break for M-CHS’s two-time state champion will be well deserved.