Columbus East is hoping its second trip to the Indiana High School Wrestling Coaches Association State Duals goes better than its first.
The Olympians went 0-3 last year, falling to three powerhouse teams. But virtually all of the wrestlers who competed for East are back this year and will look to atone for that performance Saturday at the Fort Wayne Coliseum.
“The kids have made comments about it and talked about it,” East coach Chris Cooper said. “It’s been a goal of ours.”
The state duals are broken up into three classes of 12 teams in each. The 12 teams in each class are divided into four three-team pools.
East is seeded No. 6 in Class 3A. The Olympians are in a pool with No. 3 Evansville Mater Dei and Fort Wayne Carroll.
Pool matches begin at 9 a.m. At 2 p.m., second-place finishers in each pool will battle for fifth through eighth place, and third-place finishers in each pool will vie for ninth through 12th.
Winners of each pool will battle in the semifinals at 4 p.m., followed by the finals.
East is led by its five returning state qualifiers, four of which are ranked in their respective weight classes. Senior Graham Rooks is No. 1 at 132 pounds, junior Cayden Rooks is No. 2 at 126, senior Dawson Combest is No. 4 at 138 and junior Jake Schoenegge is No. 7 at 145. Corban Pollitt, who wrestles at 152, was the other state qualifier.
“We think of the first half of the season as a team dual-meet portion and putting a good team together,” Cooper said. “We’ve had injuries and stuff, but kids are battling, and JV guys are stepping in. In a team dual event, it’s not always about your very best kids, it’s about getting everyone wrestling well and doing the right things.”
Olympians make All-State
Three Columbus East girls soccer players have earned All-State honors from the Indiana Coaches of Girls Sports Association.
Sophomore Lindsey Stoughton made the second team. Senior Morgan Martindale and freshman Alana Dwenger are on the third team.
Senior named East MVP
Senior quarterback Josh Major has been selected MVP of the Class 5A state champion Columbus East football team.
Senior Ethan Summa won the Shark Award for Defensive Player of the Year. Seniors Mark Sciutto and Zach Clark shared the Offensive Lineman of the Year award, and Jamon Hogan took the Offensive Skill Player of the Year.
Senior Ty Henderson was named Defensive Lineman of the Year, junior Nash Murphy won Defensive Skill Player of the Year and junior Sam Thomasson is the Special Teams Player of the Year. Other awards went to senior Cole McCarter (Academic Excellence) and senior Zach O’Connor (Work Wins).
Schools to host baseball camp
The Columbus East and Columbus North baseball teams will combine to host a winter baseball camp again this year. The camp will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Jan. 3 at North and from 5 to 7 p.m. Jan. 4 at East for Grades K through 8.
Cost is $50 through Friday and $60 after Friday. Players should bring a bat, helmet and glove.
The Bull Dogs and Olympians feature a combined six players who have committed to Division I baseball programs, most of which will be working the camp.
To register, call Donner Center at 812-376-2680 or visit http://columbusparksandrec.com/activities-and-programs/sports/camps/baseball
