JEFFERSONVILLE — Thrice was just as nice for the Columbus East wrestling team.
A three-peat was in the cards for Olympians, who dominated the Hoosier Hills Conference Tournament Wednesday night at Jeffersonville High School. The tournament was a makeup after being postponed on Saturday because of snowy conditions.
East, ranked No. 2 in the IndianaMat.com Power Poll, scored 295 points, while the host Red Devils were runners-up with 237. Floyd Central took third with 187, and Jennings County was fourth with 142.
The Olympians advanced 13 of 14 wrestlers out of the first round. Twelve of those grapplers advanced to championship matches and seven — one more than 2018 — emerged with titles.
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Cayden Rooks four-peated as HHC champion by winning the 138-pound weight class.
"This was just me working on getting ready for state," Rooks said. "Every one of our guys wrestled really good today. We had freshmen in the finals. Everyone is working their butts of in practice, and it’s showing right now."
Noah Lykins kicked off the night by winning at 106, and Joey Gordon was champion at 132. Jake Schoenegge was the conference champ at 152, Nick South was the winner at 170, Noah White took the 182 division and Jacob Bolte placed first at 285 to conclude the meet.
"It’s just a stepping stone to getting a state title," Schoenegge said. "It means a lot. I know all the guys in the room bust their butts to earn it. I think it’s well deserved. I think, even when the seniors leave, they can keep up the reputation. We had three freshmen that did astounding. They really stepped up to the plate when no one else would."
Second place finishers for East were Kenton Wilson (113), Nate John (120), Jeremy Clark (126), Kade Law (145) and Shawn Tyler (220).
Cameron Woodard finished runner-up at 170, the highest placing for Jennings. Teagan Johnson (120) and Joey Moran (132) both finished third in their respective weight classes for the Panthers.
