Cathedral wrestler’s state title is just one of his defining moments
Zeke Seltzer, left, of Cathedral High School in Indianapolis, earned a state championship in wrestling for the third straight year on Feb. 19. (Submitted photo)
By John Shaughnessy
With graduation less than three months away, Zeke Seltzer is like most high school seniors—focusing on the close friendships he has, looking forward to the good times still to come, and savoring the memories that have already been made.
One memory that will last a lifetime for Zeke occurred on Feb. 19 when the senior at Cathedral High School in Indianapolis became a state champion in wrestling for the third straight year.
In earning the title in the 132-pound weight class, the member of St. Simon the Apostle Parish in Indianapolis also completed his high school wrestling career with a record of 161 wins and just three losses. As remarkable as that record is, the scene that followed his latest championship was just as touching.
After winning his match 10-5, Zeke headed toward his father Brian—the head assistant wrestling coach at Cathedral. The son and father hugged, holding onto each other in an emotional embrace.
“It means so much to share it with him,” Zeke says. “He’s been my coach since I started wrestling. The bond between him and me is insane. He’s always been there for me, and he will always be there for me.”
As for his third straight championship, Zeke says, “It was such an awesome way to finish my senior year.”
Two other memories from his senior year of wrestling are just as telling about Zeke—including a challenge he took that reveals just what kind of competitor he is.
The moment happened in early January at the Team State Duals of the Indiana High School Wrestling Coaches Association. In the semifinals of the team competition that day, Cathedral faced the wrestlers from Crown Point High School—the team of one of Zeke’s friends, Jesse Mendez.
The two became friends through being on national teams together as they are both among the top high school wrestlers in the country. While Zeke has won three state championships in his weight class, Jesse has won four.
As Zeke wrestled in the 132-pound weight class this year, Jesse competed in the 138-pound class. Yet on that day in January, Zeke agreed to wrestle against Jesse in a 138-pound match to help his team.
Cathedral’s head coach Sean McGinley describes it as the match that everyone involved in Indiana high school wrestling wanted to see. McGinley also says that Zeke’s willingness to take that challenge defines him.
“He wanted to wrestle the best,” McGinley says. “That’s what makes a guy great. People stopped their matches to watch that one. It was big for Indiana wrestling.”
The intense, hard-fought match between them kept everyone’s attention, going down to its final seconds, with Jesse winning 6-4, and the respect for each other reaching another level. It was the only match Zeke lost in his senior season, as he won the other 43.
“It was just fun,” Zeke says. “We’re friends. Everyone in the state of Indiana wanted to see him and me wrestle. I wanted to do it for the sport.”
That leads to the third memory that defines Zeke.
At the level that he wrestles, the temptation is there to just focus on an individual pursuit of greatness. But excellence has many layers, and one of them includes being a leader, a mentor and a good friend to teammates.
Zeke checks all those boxes, says his head coach.
“I can’t say enough about how much he is as a team player and a role model,” McGinley says. “He’s basically a coach on the team, showing them moves.
“He also knows how to have fun. Wrestling can be a grueling sport. To have a little fun before practice makes it good for all the guys. Zeke set up a ‘spike ball’ tournament, getting everyone involved.
“I really enjoy this team. I really like this team from top to bottom. They are competitive, and they like to have fun and they like each other. And Zeke spearheaded that. It makes it fun for everyone—teammates and coaches.”
Zeke says he’s just following the example of the seniors who came before him, who were his role models in his younger years. Then his thoughts turn to this year’s team.
“This team is so close. We do everything together. I love these guys. And there’s so much potential for the younger kids. I want the best for them. I cheer them on the sidelines when I’m not wrestling. If I can help them with something, I will.”
It’s all part of an amazing four years for Zeke.
“When I look back, I take time to remember all the memories along the way—and bonding with everyone. These guys mean everything to me. They will be my lifelong friends.” †
