1983-84 COVINGTON BUCCANEERS

1983-84 BUCCANEERS: Standing (L-R): Coach Tom Barbee, Art Sowers, Brian Olson, Scott Tayler, Bill Wise, Jason Kingrey, Craig Vanderhorst, Randy Kooser, Coach Jack Schwamberger. Kneeling (L-R): Rob Vanderhorst, Rich Phillis, Mike Howell, Mike Hagan, Mark Jacobs, Keith Ponchillia, Rodney Kimmel. Sitting (L-R): Chris Colbert, Brent Young, Jim Shields, Lee Yantis, Bryan Musgrave.

DISTRICT CHAMPIONS (1ST OUT OF 15 TEAMS) • 13TH AT STATE

For the second straight year the Covington Buccaneers put together a memorable season. The Buccaneers won their first league championship, winning the Southwest Rivers Conference. The Buccs also won a second straight District Championship and finished fourth as a team in the Regional Tournament.

In dual action, the Buccs finished 16-0-1, the first unbeaten season in program history. Covington finished with a 43-6 tournament record and an overall record of 59-6-1 – a 91% winning percentage.

A record three wrestlers qualified for the state meets Jim Shields advanced at 105 pounds, Craig Vanderhorst at 145 pounds and Jason Kingrey at 167 pounds. Vanderhorst and Kingrey are the third and fourth two-time state qualifiers, joining Randy Kimmel (1978 and 1979) and Brad Hall (1981 and 1982). Vanderhorst finished third at state to become the first two-time state placer in Covington history, while Kingrey came up just short of earning his second state medal.

At the sectional (District) level, Jim Shields, Kent Musgrave, Craig Vanderhorst and Jason Kingrey won individual championships.

Jason Kingrey
Craig Vanderhorst finished third at state to become the program’s first two-time state placer.
Rob Vanderhorst clears his opponent’s hands to get for for an escape.