Columbus East High School

The No. 1-ranked Columbus East wrestling team showed why it sits atop the Class 3A dual rankings Wednesday night, delivering a decisive 57–15 victory over cross-town rival Columbus North. From the opening bout through the final whistle, the Olympians dictated the pace and never let the momentum slip. East set the tone in the upper weights, where sixth-ranked Colin McMahon opened the dual with an 18–0 technical fall at 190 pounds. That early statement was followed by dominant performances at 215 and 285, as Clayton Miller secured a major decision and Hank Redman locked down a narrow but disciplined 1–0 win to give East immediate control of the team score. The Olympians’ depth became even more evident as the night moved into the middle of the lineup. At 175 pounds, ninth-ranked Lincoln Cooper capped the dual with a pin, while Caleb Cooper added a major decision at 157. One of the most anticipated bouts came at 150, where Caleb Kirkpatrick delivered a third-period pin in a matchup of state-ranked wrestlers, further separating East from its rival. Columbus East’s younger wrestlers also made a major impact. Three freshmen produced pins, showcasing the program’s future while strengthening its present. Joel Smith opened the lighter weights with a fall at 106, Gage Pacek battled through adversity before earning a comeback pin at 120, and Cam Cooper followed with another pin at 144. Those results helped East build an insurmountable lead as the dual progressed. Additional bonus-point wins came from Ty Brueche, who posted a technical fall at 126, and Ethan Poling, who picked up a forfeit at 132. Together, those efforts highlighted the Olympians’ ability to score points in multiple ways and across the entire lineup. By the end of the night, Columbus East had won 11 of the 14 matches, collecting five pins, two technical falls, and multiple major decisions. The result was a complete team performance that reflected the Olympians’ balance of experience, youth, and depth. With the crosstown dual behind them, Columbus East now turns its focus forward, carrying momentum and confidence as it prepares to host its invitational this weekend. The Olympians continue to look every bit like the standard in Class 3A. The December 20th Columbus East Invitational features 17 teams with a full day of competitive wrestling. Weigh-in's take place at 8 a.m., with action on both the main & aux gym beginning at 9 a.m. It should be a great day of wrestling!