Hundreds gathered today at Easton's Centre Square to welcome home the city's two-time collegiate wrestling champion.
NCAA wrestling champ and former Easton Area High School wrestling standout Jordan Oliver was greeted by a crowd of roughly 200 people celebrating his latest victory. Oliver this past spring had capped a 126-6 career record at Oklahoma State University by winning his second national championship.
He also holds the Oklahoma State record for the most wins by pins, breaking a mark set in 1981.
Supporters wore white T-shirts featuring his photo and the words, "That Dude Jo, 2X National Champion, Jordan Oliver, Oklahoma State Wrestling," which Oliver later autographed.
The celebration started with a parade from the former Perkins restaurant lot and proceeded to the circle. Marching in the parade were members of Easton Saints Wrestling, carrying a banner "2X NCAA Champion." Oliver arrived with his mother, Tina Rosado, and other family members in an Easton Ambassadors cart.
"I couldn't put into words how grateful I am to the community. I appreciate all the love and support he gets from the city of Easton," Rosado said when reached by phone. "And how proud I am of my son on and off the mat."
Mayor Sal Panto Jr. said the first thing Oliver said to him when he greeted the mayor was "It's nice to be home."
Jordan Oliver celebrated in downtown Easton on June 30, 2013 Easton Area High School graduate and two-time NCAA wrestling champion Jordan Oliver was celebrated with a parade and ceremony Sunday afternoon at Centre Square in Easton. Oliver won his second NCAA Division I wrestling championship with Oklahoma State this past March during the championships held in Des Moines, Iowa. "That's the type of person he is. He's glad to be home," Panto said.Panto then declared June 30 "Jordan Oliver Day" and said he wouldn't give him a key to the city because that key doesn't open anything, but a proclamation he handed over to Oliver would be the "key to our hearts."
This was the second parade for Oliver. In April 2011, he also was recognized in a city celebration when as an Oklahoma State sophomore he won the 133-pound title in Philadelphia.
"In 14 years, I've only given away a couple days," Panto said. "I don't know anyone whose been given two days."
Oliver after accepting the proclamation said, "It's a privilege to have just one Jordan Oliver Day in Easton, where I am from. But now, I got two. I think I'm going to keep winning and stringing along a whole month."
He went on to thank his family and supporters, both past and present, and said he's focused on winning his dream medals: World and Olympic gold. He had come up short earlier this month in his quest to earn the 66 kg (145.5 pounds) spot at the U.S. World Team Trials at Gallagher-Iba Arena.
"You got to get knocked down to get back up again," Oliver said.
Steve Powell, Oliver's wrestling coach at Easton Area High School, said it takes a village to raise a child.
"Today, Easton is very proud of Jordan Oliver -- our child," he said, noting the reason the wrestling program is so successful is because of people like Oliver who return to say "thanks" and contribute. "He's a two-time national champion because he had a phenomenal attitude."
Easton Saints Wrestling coach Dave Swick also called Oliver an "inspiration," noting he watched him from his first day on the mat until now.
Dave and Tammy Richmond, of Easton, turned out to support Oliver. The couple's son, Sean Richmond, had wrestled at Easton when Oliver was at the school and they said they watched him grow up.
"Jordan really deserves it because he worked very hard for this," Tammy Richmond said. "We support him all the way."
Kathy Wagner's son, William Wagner, 12, a wrestler with the Easton Saints, had marched in the parade. The Easton resident said Oliver is a role model for the youngsters.
"He worked hard to get where he is," she said. "It's nice to give him that recognition."
Source: http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/sports/index.ssf/2013/06/easton_honors_two-time_ncaa_wr.html
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