COLUMBUS – Miami East sophomore Kira Cole entered the state tournament unbeaten at 35-0 and the favorite to win the 115 pound weight class.
Cole didn’t disappoint as she pinned all four of her opponents, including a 2:30 pin of Delaware Hayes’ Molly Wells in the championship match.
“It was amazing (being part of the first girls state tournament sponsored by the OHSAA),” said a delighted Kira Cole. “It is just like any other big tournament I wrestle in. It (pinning her way through the tournament) was not a goal, it was a happy little surprise. I don’t want to ever be overconfident, but it did give me confidence (winning her semifinal by pin). I don’t overlook anybody. I didn’t get to wrestle last year. So, I just did my training and worked on my technique and got ready for this year.”
Her father and coach Jared Cole was impressed with the environment his daughter and the rest of the wrestlers got to experience.
“They had the girls mat closest and that was the biggest ovation when they announced the girls,” he said. “You can see how far girls wrestling has come and well accepted it is.”
The finals match was controlled from the outset by Cole as she recorded a quick takedown to take a 2-0 lead in the first period.
In the second period Cole wasted little time taking control again from the top position and quickly turned Wells to he back for a pin 30 seconds into the frame.
As the referee slapped the mat, Cole looked up into the arena with a big smile and then rose to her feet to congratulate her defeated opponent for her effort. She then blew kisses and waved to her Viking supporters as the referee turned her toward each section of the arena while raising her hand.
Cole finishes her sophomore season with a 39-0 record and as a state champion.
