Columbus East High School

After a season filled with significant victories—including triumphs at the Jeff Duals and the expanded Columbus East Invitational—I sat down with Columbus East Wrestling Coach Chris Cooper to reflect on the journey of the Olympians and discuss what lies ahead for the program. Q: Coach Cooper, how do you reflect on the overall journey of the Olympians this year? **Coach Cooper:** First off, this was an outstanding group of athletes to be around. They are a hardworking, coachable group that made coming to practice every day an honor. We had some tremendous achievements this season, including winning the Jeff Duals, Falcon Duals, and our expanded CE Invite. We placed third at Team State and finished as runners-up at Sectionals, the Hoosier Hills Conference (HHC), and Regionals. Individually, we had nine semi-state qualifiers and one state qualifier. We also had an Al Smith champion, seven HHC champs, three Sectional champions, and three Regional champions. Beyond the mat, I’m especially proud of our five Academic All-State selections. Q: The team faced challenges like wrestling without a competitor at 106 lbs and managing injuries. What key lessons did you take away from these setbacks? **Coach Cooper:** Injuries were definitely a downer this season. We experienced way more than the typical year’s worth of season-ending injuries, along with other setbacks that disrupted practice habits and routines. Managing injuries is always part of a season, but we certainly had more than our fair share. Despite that, our kids battled. While we didn’t secure the typical number of championships we likely would have had with a full lineup, the effort from both the athletes and coaching staff never wavered. Moving forward, building depth is a key focus, as competing at the highest level without a 106-pounder isn’t ideal. Q: Colin McMahon’s performance at the state finals was hard-fought despite the loss. What did you take away from his effort, and how will that influence training for next season? **Coach Cooper:** Colin had a tremendous season. Qualifying for the state meet as a sophomore—especially as an undersized 190-pounder—is no small feat. He’s been focused for some time and continues to have big goals for his wrestling career. There’s no question we will see him again at the state tournament. Q: The team achieved several impressive placements in tournaments. What factors contributed most to these successes, and how do you plan to build on them? **Coach Cooper:** One of the biggest strengths of our program is our consistency in training and our expectation to succeed. Our athletes fully embrace our “1%er” philosophy—getting 1% better in everything we do, every single day. That mindset applies in the classroom, at home, in the practice room—every rep, drill, and second of our day matters. We have a well-established offseason plan that includes training, competitions, and team-building, which has been a proven formula for success. Q: You mentioned that “it’s time to get back in the lab.” What does that mean for your coaching strategy and how you plan to evolve the team’s training. **Coach Cooper:** “Getting back to the lab” refers to our commitment to evaluating and refining everything we do. Whether things go as planned or not, we head back to the wrestling room and work to improve. Staying invested in the process is far more important than focusing solely on outcomes. Q: With 11 potential starters returning for the 2025-26 season, what are your expectations and long-term goals for the Olympian wrestling team? **Coach Cooper:** The future is extremely bright. We’re bringing back a highly competitive, hardworking group of athletes. Right now, there are multiple wrestlers in the room pushing our top guys, and several are on the verge of making significant jumps in their performance. Add in an outstanding group of eighth graders coming up, and overall, the Olympians will be in the mix with the best teams in the state next season. We’re excited for what’s ahead! Looking Ahead: As the Columbus East wrestling program reflects on a season filled with hard-fought battles and impressive achievements, Coach Cooper and his team remain focused on growth and future success. With a strong core of returning athletes and a dedicated coaching staff, the Olympians are poised to build on their momentum. While challenges like injuries tested the team’s resilience, their “1%er” mentality continues to drive them forward. With a deep talent pool and a commitment to constant improvement, Columbus East wrestling is ready to take the next step—back in the lab and onto the mat for another exciting season. Thanks Coach Cooper for your time!