Crater’s Jeremiah Oliva wins battle of freshmen to prevail in overtime (Reser’s TOC 113 pounds)

“I’m always thinking I’m number one. You have to believe in yourself, and that’s what I did.”

Youth was served in the 113-pound final at Saturday’s 22nd annual Reser’s Tournament of Champions at Hillsboro’s Liberty High School. 

A couple of freshmen squared off for the title, with Crater’s Jeremiah Oliva outlasting Crook County’s Chase Hemphill in overtime for a 7-5 victory.

Oliva entered the tournament as the No. 1 seed with a 22-4 record, including a 10-match win streak since reaching the consolation quarterfinals at the Reno Tournament of Champions.

That streak and a victory at the season-opening Doc Peterson tournament in California gave him confidence he could make noise at his inaugural Reser’s TOC.

“I’m always thinking I’m number one,” Oliva said. “You have to believe in yourself, and that’s what I did.”

Jeremiah Oliva of Crater (photo by Taylor Balkom) 

His confidence never faltered in the final, even as he trailed 5-4 in the closing seconds of the third round before receiving a penalty point when Hemphill was called for stalling with 12 seconds left.

After a scoreless first overtime round, Oliva could not escape during his 30-second period in the bottom position. He turned Hemphill for two near-fall points in the ensuing period to win the title.

“He was so close to escaping,” Oliva said. “But I just got that tilt for the two points, and I just hung on for dear life.” 

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