»ARCHDEACON: Already a wrestling champion, Olivia Shore wants more
Don’t expect the moment to be too big for Olivia Shore or her brother Max Shore. They’re already used to the spotlight. The Miami East High School wrestlers secured their place in state history as the first brother-sister combination to qualify for the Ohio High School Athletic Association wrestling state championships. Now they’re looking for more.
Both are projected for Division III podium finishes at the three-day state tournament that starts Thursday and finishes Saturday. Olivia, a sophomore wrestling in the 106-pound weight class, is projected to finish eighth by Billy Schaefer, founder of respected wrestling website borofanohio.net. Max, a freshman, is predicted to finish fourth at 113 pounds.
“I’m not really nervous,” said Max, who beat Covington two-time state qualifier Cael Vanderhorst 5-3 in the district finals. “I’m honestly more ready than nervous because I just want to go. Show everyone where I’m at. Kind of prove a point that just because I’m a freshman doesn’t mean I can’t win state.”
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Olivia’s goal is no less than two victories, which guarantees a spot on the podium. Two wins would also solidify her spot in state wrestling lore. Olivia – who has competed in the World Cadet Championships in both Greece (seventh) and Croatia (fourth) the past two years – is the second female to qualify for the state championships. In 2010, Mantua Crestwood’s Paige Nemec qualified at 103 pounds and went 1-2.
“Once I knew girls weren’t going to have a state tournament as big as (the boys), I started telling myself this was my goal and I needed to get it done,” Olivia said. “Now that I made it I’m so hungry for more. I so want to make the podium.
“I love the pressure. I love the haters. I love people that doubt me. It just makes me want to do better and prove them wrong. The big crowds don’t really bother me. It fuels me.”
Olivia clinched her trip to state with a late escape to beat Lima Central Catholic’s Gavin Caprella at district. She finished fourth overall. Last season at district Olivia was one win away from state – and from sharing the experience with older brother and then-senior Graham – but lost her next three matches to finish sixth. Graham went on to win the 120-pound state championship.
“Last year was kind of heartbreaking not being able to go with Graham, especially since he had a really good shot to win it,” Olivia said. “It made me train a lot harder this year. I’m finally making it and being able to go with Max is awesome. It kind of makes up a little bit for last year.”
Credit: DaytonDailyNews
Last season 53,401 spectators attend the three-day tournament. The Saturday session drew 12,271. Olivia knows sitting up in the stands will be young girls excited to see her wrestle, maybe inspiring their own run to the state tournament someday.
“I can’t lose my head during my matches because I know people are watching,” Olivia said of being a role model. “I want to keep a good attitude and be a good influence on people watching, even little boys and girls. I want them to know even if you lose it’ll be all right. You still have matches ahead.
“Winning two matches and getting on the podium would be awesome. But I’m thankful for the opportunity to be able to make it to state.”
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