Findlay has pair of state finalists

COLUMBUS-- Findlay wrestling coach Ben Kirian put it simply when talking about Kate Simmons and Laney Oliver."It's hard for them both not to be good when they wrestle each other every single day (in practice)," Kirian said. "They just bring the level of the room up and it helps each other out."Now, they're both a win away from a state championship.Oliver, a 190-pounder, and Simmons, a 170 pounder, each went 2-0 Saturday and qualified for their weight class' championship match.Oliver is a state finalist at 190 pounds for the third consecutive year. Simmons – a two-time state placer – is in the finals for the first time. Simmons, who took fourth at 170 in 2023 and sixth in 2022, didn't qualify for state a season go. "I think the whole season has been finding that extra drive in me and that extra push to win those tough matches," Simmons said.She certainly did that Saturday.In the quarterfinal match against Lydia Heinrich of Olentangy Orange, and again in the semifinal against Eaton's Caroline Klawon – 4-0 and 4-1, respectively – going into the third period.But each time, Simmons took over and finished the matches with pins.She stuck Heinrich in 4:36 and flattened Klawon in 5:37."No matter what I did, I was gonna leave it on the mat, and in those third periods, I knew it was up to me to win it," Simmons said, "and I had to decide that I wanted it."Kirian said Simmons is doing the best wrestling of her career right now."I think it's confidence in herself, confidence in her training," Kirian said. "She knows if she takes people deep she's gonna be able to pull it off, because she believes in herself."Now, standing in the way of Simmons and a state championship is Loveland's undefeated Elizabth Madison is the two-time defending state champion at 170."She's a great matchup for us," Kirian said. "We're excited to see her. If you want to win the state title, we've told (Simmons), this is the way to do it."Simmons was asked how she will prepare for the title match."You know, I'm really not too sure yet," she said with a laugh. "Last year I didn't even make it here, and this year was all about proving everyone wrong and just showing everyone what I'm capable of. For tomorrow, just the same thing I've been doing all weekend."Oliver, meanwhile, made quick work of her quarterfinal opponent, New Lexington's Olivia Beaulieu, pinning her in 2:47.But the semifinal –against Lakota East's Sydney Hall – was a little tougher.Oliver had faced Hall earlier this season, and came away with a 10-0 major decision.On Saturday, Oliver remained patient and slowly built a lead, while not giving up a thing. She scored another major decision, 8-0."We knew it wasn't likely to get a pin there, unless we caught (Hall)," Kirian said. "I couldn't be prouder; a major decision in a very difficult match. We'll take that any day."Oliver seemed to agree."Every semis match is stressful, obviously, because I have been in the finals since Day 1," she said. "But it's just always a big relief after that match in wrestling, It's just a big weight off my shoulders, just getting back to the finals."Oliver is back in the finals against a familiar foe: Lakewood's Zayna Muntaser, who Oliver pinned last week in the district final in Findlay.Oliver has said all weekend she is not looking past anyone on her way to what she hopes is her first state title. But she said she was being positive before Sunday's big match."Tonight," she said, "I'm gonna keep thinking about the positive side of tomorrow.""We just keep telling her that, 'every match is the same match, every day is the same day,'" Kirian said. "It's hard to believe that, but it's what we keep saying. And I believe she does a great job of owning that and believing. She hasn't let a single match go...and I don't think she will tomorrow, either. She'll just show up and do her job like she always does."The Parade of Champions will be at 5 p.m. Sunday, back at the Schottenstein Center, with the title matches to start at 5:15 p.m.