For the first time in school history, the Columbus Wildcats are conference champions in girls’ basketball. Columbus claimed a 45-28 win over Pekin last night to win the North division of the Southeast Iowa Super Conference.

Columbus started the game on a 10-5 run and led 20-13 at halftime, but the Wildcats would pull away for good with a 20-8 run in the third quarter. Senior Lily Coil and junior Isabel Rendon scored 13 points each to lead Columbus, while senior Ariana Vergara added 12 points as the ‘Cats finish conference play with a 14-2 record and improve to 17-3 overall.

Columbus would drop the boys’ game to Pekin 68-37, falling behind 40-16 at halftime and never recovering. Sophomore Fritz Figaro paced the team with 12 points as the Wildcats fall to 6-13, including a 4-11 mark in the Super Conference North.

Both Columbus teams now gear up for this year’s Super Conference Shootout. The Wildcat girls will face Mediapolis in the finals Saturday at Southeastern Community College in West Burlington, while the boys will play Friday and host Van Buren County.