KEVIN MENZ
Associate News Editor

Daniel Olver, hefting his awards

In his final year of eligibility, the fifth-year wrestler was awarded the E. Kent Phillips Trophy for male athlete of the year and the Rusty MacDonald Cup for all-round male athlete. The awards stem respectively from his tremendous performance this season and throughout his career with Huskies Athletics.

“It means a lot being recognized like this,” said Olver. “But it means more for the whole community, I think, than it does myself. It’s nice to see wrestling finally recognized.”

After moving up from the 76-kg weight class to the 82-kg weight class this season, the captain of the Huskies wrestling team went 21-0 against Canadian Interuniversity Sport opponents, winning gold at both the Canada West and CIS championships for the second straight year.

Olver said he moved up weight classes in order to open spots for other members of the Huskies’ team.

“It was tough physically as well as mentally knowing that I’m going up against bigger opponents,” he said. “My comfort zone is 76. I would have been there for four years, but I wanted to make the team stronger.”

This move allowed the Huskies’ men’s wrestling team to finish second at the Canada West championships and to qualify more athletes for the CIS championships.

“He’s been an outstanding leader and he’s accomplished everything he possibly could,” said Huskies’ wrestling coach Todd Hinds. “He’ll step up on the toughest days and perform on the mat.”

“Daniel trains extremely hard and is a great inspiration for me,” added rookie Theo Dow. After seeing his success this year at CIS, it makes me want to train harder. He’s an excellent leader and a great inspiration.”

Olver, a Métis student majoring in native studies and minoring in criminology, was also awarded Huskies male rookie of the year in 2007. He’s received numerous scholarships throughout his academic career including the Coca-Cola, Xerox Canada Aboriginal and Saskatchewan Sport scholarships.

Olver considers himself a role model in the wrestling and Métis communities.

“There have been many role models in the sport of wrestling that have had a positive influence on me,” he said. “I have tried to model myself after them and I hope to pass their example onto the younger athletes who may have never met these role models.”

He danced at the opening ceremonies of the 2010 Olympic Games on behalf of the Métis nation in order to better learn about his culture.

“I think there are many excellent role models in the Métis community. I would be proud to be considered among them.”

Olver hopes to eventually compete at the Olympic level.

“I am still going to train and compete as a high performance athlete with the goal of winning senior nationals,” he said. “Making the Olympic team has always been my dream and I’ll continue to pursue that dream.”

His coach, Hinds, believes that Olver is destined for the Olympic stage.

“He has unbelievable ability and I think in the future he has the potential to be on that Olympic team and to represent Canada at other international events.”

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image: Raisa Pezderic/The Sheaf