Cayden Rooks, Nick South and Jacob Bolte wrestle in different weight classes, but for the next four years, they’ll have a little rivalry going.
Rooks and South are headed to Indiana University, while Bolte, their Columbus East teammate, is headed to Purdue. The trio participated in a signing ceremony Wednesday at the school.
"It’s cool that we’re having three different guys go to Big Ten schools," South said. "It will be a nice little friendly rivalry. We’ll hopefully have three national champs from Columbus East. That’s the goal."
One East graduate already is on the IU wrestling squad. Graham Rooks, Cayden’s older brother, won the 132-pound state title last season.
Graham Rooks is competing unattached while redshirting as a freshman this year.
"I’m excited for Bolte going to Purdue," Cayden Rooks said. "He’s a lifelong friend. I can’t wait to get to IU with my brother and start competing in the Big Ten."
Cayden Rooks won the 120-pound state championship as a sophomore. Last year, he finished runner-up at 126.
East coach Chris Cooper praised Cayden’s leadership ability.
"He literally is wise beyond his years in terms of wrestling," Cooper said. "Cayden is definitely kind of an extension of the coaching staff. His technical knowledge is pinpoint, he does a great job of explaining that to younger guys and is a fantastic example."
Meanwhile, South made the most of his first season competing at East, capturing the 160-pound state title. He had to sit out his sophomore year after transferring from Jennings County.
South recently finished second at 160 in the Super 32 Tournament in Greensboro, North Carolina.
"Nick makes the commitment to the weight room," Cooper said. "It’s pretty obvious he prides himself on that and his diet, as well. He’s not the guy out there trying to cut weight to get down to a weight class. He just focuses on being at his absolute best. Often times, he’s under weight by a few pounds. That’s not his focus. His focus is every day get better, improve get stronger and be physically at his best and then compete."
Bolte was a state qualifier last season at 220.
"He literally has earned what he has right now," Cooper said. "I can’t think of anyone else on our squad or anyone that I’ve ever coached that is more willing to do things the way I want them done or the coaches want them done. He’s extremely coachable. He works extremely hard. He literally will do exactly what you tell him the way you tell him as absolute hard as he can. His coachability and his work ethic have created this opportunity for him."
Bolte also was a starting offensive lineman for last year’s Class 5A state champion Olympians football team and will try to help lead East back to state with a win in Friday night’s semistate battle against Decatur Central.
But Bolte’s near future is in wrestling, just like his buddies who joined him at the signing table on Wednesday.
"I’ve always wanted go to Purdue," Bolte said. "My family’s gone to Purdue. When I got contacted by them, I realized I really wanted to go there. Purdue-IU is a big rivalry, but (Rooks and South will) always be my friends."
