2000-01 COVINGTON BUCCANEERS

2000-01 BUCCANEERS: Front Row (L-R) – Ben Adams, Brandon Hartzell, Jesse Hitt, Derrick Canan, Billy Wendel. Second Row (L-R) – Statistician Monica Batdorf, Derek Stender, Dusty Campbell, Doug Apple, Heath Knight, Chris Eshelman. Third Row (L-R) – Coach Tom Barbee, B.J. Owens, Jon Sampson, Scott Batdorf, Mike Stephan, Josh Vargo, Asst. Coach Eric Vanderhorst.

The Covington Buccaneers had yet another successful season in 2000-21. The Buccs finished 12-7 in dual meets, 69-31 in tournaments and compiled na overall record of 81-38 for a winning percentage of 68%.

To top it off, junior Mike Stephan and senior Steve Batdorf put together a memorable year as both qualified the state meet. Batdorf qualified at 160 pounds, while Stephan qualified at 171 pounds. Stephan won his second straight Sectional Championship and his first District Championship to qualify for state at 171 pounds. Batdorf also won a Sectional Championship and finished at District Runner-up. Doug Apple came up short of state as he placed sixth at Districts.

Five wrestlers qualified for Districts, where the Buccs finished seventh out of 44 teams.

Several wrestlers added their names to the history books. Doug Apple is now tenth in career wins (95), fifth in single season pins (23), seventh in career pins (59) tenth in singles season takedowns (73) and seventh in career points(553). Mike Stephan is seventh in singles season pins (22), tenth in single season takedowns (73) and ninth in single season points (192).

The future of Covington wrestling is extremely bright due to the addition of a new wrestling building that was constructed this year. The addition of the building was made possible by the contribution of the Covington Wrestling Parents and the Buccaneer coaches who raised the money needed to financially erect the building. The wrestling building offers much more space to allow the program to grow in future years through the youth, junior high and high school programs.

Buccaneer junior Mike Stephan punched his ticket to the state meet at 171 pounds.
B. J. Owens has his opponent in trouble as he works for a pin.
Billy Wendel stalks his opponent.