Columbus East High School

In one of the most anticipated dual meets of the season, the Class 3A No. 1 Columbus East Olympians made the trip to Franklin Tuesday night to face No. 2 Franklin Community. In a matchup that carried postseason weight and statewide attention, the Grizzly Cubs came away with a 38-22 victory. The Olympians entered the night expecting more, and the final score reflected a tough evening against a deep and experienced Franklin lineup. Several matches swung on bonus points, allowing the hosts to build separation as the dual unfolded. Despite the setback, Columbus East showed its depth and competitiveness with five wins on the night, including several statement performances against highly ranked opponents. At 150 pounds, senior Caleb Kirkpatrick delivered one of the biggest results of the dual, earning a major decision over Jonah Strain, who entered the match with an 11-1 record. Junior Ty Brueche followed at 126 with a composed 6-3 decision over River Lilly, another Franklin wrestler with double-digit wins. Freshman Kade Stephens put together a dominant outing at 113, securing a technical fall to give the Olympians momentum in the middle of the lineup. At the upper weights, Columbus East answered again with gritty wins from Hank Redman (285), Colin McMahon (190), and Lincoln Cooper (175), each defeating Franklin wrestlers who carried strong records into the match. Franklin, however, capitalized in key spots, using pins and technical falls to generate bonus points that proved decisive. Several close matches—most notably at 132—highlighted how narrow the margin was in a dual featuring two of the state’s top programs. While the Olympians left Franklin disappointed, this dual served as a valuable benchmark midway through the season. Facing a lineup of this caliber exposed areas for growth while reinforcing the team’s ability to compete with anyone in the state when execution aligns. Columbus East will take the lessons from Tuesday night back to the lab, knowing that Late January, early February —not December—is when titles are decided. This result stings, but it also sharpens the edge of a team with championship expectations still firmly intact.