Oliver Ruiz vs Dave Cordoba, 119lb NJSIAA State Wrestling Finals 1998

1998, 119lbs... Ruiz (Cliffside Park) vs Cordoba (Kearny)
One of the greatest state title runs in NJ history!!
I do not own the rights to the footage!…

[@danielperucki2271]

I met this kid when I was coaching He was coaching . What wasn't mentioned in this story is he was 4 lbs over the weight limit the first night of the districts. He wasn't even going to get on the bus . The coaches told him to run to the tournament in North Bergen. 8 miles away. He did it. He made weight. The same guy who he pinned in the state final, Dave Cordoba, pinned him in the District 16 final. They literally can make a movie out of this.

[@user-cq6dg6ql9j]

Ruiz finished 3rd in districts, fought his way to 3rd at Regionals, and wasn’t given a single consideration to win States. His championship story is an ultimate “Never Give Up” testament to the sport.

[@timiariaarea8532]

Agreed, couldn’t have written it any better

[@user-cq6dg6ql9j]

@@timiariaarea8532 I’ve seen a lot of amazing OWs recognized over the years of watching NJ wrestling, but his OW is the most remarkable one I will always remember.

[@iLLWiLLx21]

All these years later and I still can’t believe what he did that year

[@pennystocklocks]

0:44 Princeton Coach Joe Dubuque on far right

[@iLLWiLLx21]

Cordoba was always known for doing flashy stuff vs lesser opponents but definitely paid for it that day

[@AbrianaRuiz-k3w]

That’s my dad 💪

[@timiariaarea8532]

One of the best state finals ever

[@dirtbag3736]

I think he wound up beating Conte at super regions that year 2 days after Conte had teched him in regions. If that even happened 1 other time in jersey history then I'm Chinese