Columbus East High School

The Columbus East Olympian wrestling team closed out a remarkable season with a bittersweet finale at the IHSAA State Finals. In the season’s final bout, Colin McMahon (35-8) faced off against Kyle Harden of Indianapolis Cathedral. Despite Colin’s determined effort, Harden prevailed by major decision (38-2, MD 16-7), marking the end of the season for our last remaining wrestler. Though the final match did not go our way, this season was defined by resilience, outstanding achievements, and collective heart. The Olympians clinched several titles and accolades, including: Championship Wins: Jeff Duals, Perry Meridian Falcon Dual, and CEHS Invitational. Strong Tournament Showings: 10th place at the Al Smith Invite, 3rd place at the IHSWCA 3A State Duals, 2nd place in both the Hoosier Hills Conference tournament and the IHSAA Sectional, and a 2nd place finish at the IHSAA Regional. Notably, the team managed these accomplishments even while wrestling without a competitor in the 106lbs weight class for most of the year. Amid lineup changes due to late-season injuries, our Olympians continued to display determination and grit. Looking ahead, the future is bright for Columbus East. With 11 potential starters returning for the 2025-26 season, the foundations for even greater success are already in place. We also extend a heartfelt shoutout to our four 2025 seniors—James Kinman, James Moss, Rohan McWilliams, and Gage Rutan—whose leadership and exemplary wrestling have been instrumental this season. As Olympian head coach Chris Cooper summed it up, "It's time to get back in the lab!" His words embody the spirit of continuous improvement and the drive to learn from every experience. Thank you to all the Olympian wrestlers for a GREAT SEASON of wrestling. Your dedication, teamwork, and relentless pursuit of excellence have set a high standard, and we can’t wait to see what the future holds for these remarkable athletes.