This season, the Panthers standout will look to win his second consecutive state title and in doing so, will be joined by a large group of teammates capable of pushing the M-CHS wrestling program to new heights.
“It’s looking pretty good,” said Panthers head coach Shad Bellmire. I think we can get six, seven, eight kids to state. If we put the work in, we could possibly finish in the top 10 as a team.”
The Panthers will compete in Colorado’s 3A classification this season after the Colorado High School Activities Association (CHSAA) adjusted enrollment numbers for the sport. M-CHS competed in the 4A Classification last season.
“There are a lot of tough teams that dropped down to (Class 3A), so I don’t think the class change is going to make a huge difference for us,” said Bellmire. “There are tough wrestlers at every level.”
Figuring to lead the Panthers this season will be Oliver, who finished first in Class 4A’s 170-pound division last season. Oliver said that he spent the summer lifting weights and improving his skills. The senior plans to wrestle in the 182-pound division this year.
“I kept my shape up real good over the summer,” said Oliver. “I did one postseason freestyle tournament, and I took sixth at a preseason tournament in Las Vegas. My goal is (to win state).”
Also hoping to place well at the state tournaments is senior Justice Ramos, who advanced to the state quarterfinals in the 145-pound division last year. Ramos plans to compete in the 152-pound division this season.
“My goal is to do really well at state,” said Ramos. “I need to be more aggressive with my shots and taking (my opponents) down. I also want to show the younger guys how to work.”
Rounding out M-CHS’s returning state qualifiers is senior Levi Gross, who is planning to compete in the 132-pound division this year. Gross won one match at the state tournament last season.
“My goal is to win state this year,” said Gross. “The competition at (Class 3A) will be strong.”
Other individuals looking to make an impact for the Panthers this season include junior Colton Reynolds (106-pounds), sophomore Jared Grey (120-pounds), sophomore Josh Ramos (152-pounds), junior Victor Perez (heavyweight), and seniors Elijah Lansing (195-pounds), and Andrew Finch (160-pounds).
Finch, who Bellmire described as “just another tough kid in the lineup,” qualified for the Texas state tournament last season.
M-CHS will open its season at the Colorado Mesa University Duals on Dec. 6 in Grand Junction. The Panthers will wrestle at home for the first time against Ignacio and Mancos on Jan. 12.
“I’m excited for this weekend to see where we’re at,” said Bellmire.