After Senior Emma Mensendiek decided to join the Columbus East wrestling team this season, she has had great success. Mensendiek wrestled in the 106 weight class and ended up placing fourth in the state tournament.

The rest of the wrestling team traveled to Jeffersonville this past week for the Hoosier Hills Conference Tournament. East won as a team with a final score of 244. Sophomore Cayden Rooks placed first at 120, junior Graham Rooks at 126, junior Dawson Combest at 132 and senior Austin Sheckles at 220. The team also had three wrestlers place second in the tournament. Sophomore Jack Schoenegge placed second at 138, junior Corban Pollitt at 145 and junior Andy Davidson at 152.

The team will travel to Jennings County for Sectionals to kick off the state tournament. East looks to repeat their success from last season after winning Sectionals as a team.

East has multiple individuals who have potential to win Sectionals on Saturday, and possibly have success deeper in the tournament. Two of the wrestlers, Rooks and Combest, made it to the State Finals last season and have the ability to have similar success this season. There are also more wrestlers on the team that have had great regular seasons this year and could potentially make it deep into the tournament.

Sectionals start January 28 at 9 a.m. at Jennings County High School.